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?”

pet Lily.”

really likes you, you

looked up at me.

likes you too.”

looked at the dog that was sitting right next to my thigh and looking at the scene joyfully.

“I’m sure there are a lot of other

He frowned.

like me?” he

I

on

could go on this trip together if

“Later,” he said.

wait a few

“I’m hungry.”

“What do you want to eat?”

“Spaghetti,” he replied with

couldn’t help it,

and Miki, while I prepare some spaghetti, and then once you’ve eaten we can go and take a walk together?”

He frowned, thinking.

could walk with Miki, he adores walks.”

he

lend them

both pets and I could hear him laugh

I put water on the stove and scrounge up some quick homemade sauce as I had nothing ready.

cooked, and the sauce underway when I heard knocks on the door. Miki barked, but Eloim didn’t stop playing and laughing.

I had my suspicions that were confirmed as I opened the door, dog in hand so that he would not rush into

Mont-Royal?” the policeman asked me. He was tall and kind-looking. Behind him was a handsome man in a blazer looking

gentlemen,” I said moving aside. “He’s here. We were about to go to the police station in a few minutes. He’s playing with the

the room straight to

my door so that I could

to bother the men, and took a treat from one of my drawers to

“No,” I heard from the

assumed was his father and came to me. I understood what he wanted and gave him the

told Miki, who complied immediately.

he gave the treat.

told me.

treats already. This

Eloim pouted, and behind him, his father got back

you ready to go back home?” I asked the

“No,” he said. “Spaghetti.”

looked apologetically to his

me he was hungry and I promised him spaghetti before going to the police station. I don’t mind if he eats it first,” I said. “Or not.”

The man looked really strangely

Eloim, as he went back to playing

said again, looking between the cop and father. He looked at his son

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

nodded.

you still need me?” asked the policeman.

officer,” the father said, shaking his

question at me too. I was

will be fine,” I said, and shook his hand

left and we were left alone.

Mila,” I told him, extending

“Xander.” We shook hands. “How did you do that?”

what?”