All That Is Left Behind

“911, what is your emergency?” asked the operator.

“I found a lost child at Mont-Royal’s Park, he doesn’t talk much so I don’t know his name yet, but he needs to pee so I’m taking him to my place.” I gave her the address and a description of the child, and every other information I had managed to get out of him. I also promised to bring him to a police station after, and gave them my phone number, just in case.

He followed me quietly, holding my hand all the way until we reached my apartment.

“Do you need help, sweetie?” I asked him.

He shook his head and closed the door behind him.

I smiled and let him do his thing.

I put my bag down and grabbed my purse so that I would have my ID and everything I could need at the police station, and googled the closest police station.

“KITTY!” he screamed.

I jumped out of my skin.

I didn’t even realise he was out.

“Kitty,” he told me loudly, pointing at my cat.

“Don’t scream, please. You will scare her,” I said.

He smacked his hands on his mouth. “You can talk softly, though. Her name is Lily and she’s really sweet.”

“Can I pet Lily?” he asked.

I think it’s the longest sentence he ever addressed directly at me.

“Yes, you can,” I said. “But I think you scared her a little when you screamed. Do you want me to find her and bring her here so you can pet her?”

He nodded and I complied.

We sat in my small living-room, and I let him pet Lily for a little while.

“What is your name?” I asked.

He said nothing and continued to caress Lily’s head carefully.

“You know the name of Lily and Miki, but they don’t know your name.”

“Eloim,” he admitted.

“Do you know your last name?”

He said nothing.

Well, at least I had a first name.

“There is someplace we should go to, Eloim.”

He shook his head.

“I think your family is looking for you.”

“No.”

“You don’t think they’re looking for you?”

“No, I pet Lily.”

you, you

He looked up

likes you

that was sitting right next to

a lot of other people

frowned.

you like me?” he asked.

I replied.

He put one hand on Lily and another on Miki and tried to coordinate his double petting.

trip together if you

he said.

can wait a few more

hungry.”

you want

replied with determination.

I couldn’t help it, I

and then once you’ve eaten we can go

He frowned,

with Miki, he adores

he agreed.

grabbed some of the pet’s toys and lend them

with both pets and I could hear him laugh enthusiastically.

some quick homemade sauce as I had

heard knocks on the door. Miki barked, but Eloim didn’t stop

had my suspicions that were confirmed as I opened the door, dog in hand so that he would

Miss. You called for a lost child at Mont-Royal?” the policeman asked me. He was

go to the police station in a few minutes. He’s playing with the cat in

man rushed inside the room straight to Eloim and hugged

The policeman stood aside next to my door

want him to bother the men, and took a treat from one of

I heard from

assumed was his father and came to me. I understood what he

“Lie down,” he told Miki, who complied immediately.

Then he gave the

“Another,” he told

“No, Eloim. Miki has had too many treats

his father got back on his

ready to go back home?” I asked the

said. “Spaghetti.”

apologetically to his father.

before going to the police station. I don’t mind if he eats

looked really strangely

“Spaghetti,” boomed Eloim, as he went

cop and father. He looked

take you on your offer and let him eat first,” he told

nodded.

me?”

thank you officer,” the father said,

me, aiming his question at me too. I was about

shook his hand in

left and we were

Mila,” I told him, extending my hand.

shook hands. “How did

“Do what?”