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 really likes you, you know.”

He looked up

likes you too.”

right next to my thigh and

of other people

frowned.

like me?” he asked.

“I do,” I replied.

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

this trip together if you want.”

he said.

I nodded. “We can wait a few more minutes.”

“I’m hungry.”

“What do you want to

he replied

couldn’t help it, I smiled.

prepare some spaghetti, and then once

frowned, thinking.

could walk with Miki,

he agreed.

them to Eloim, got up, and

was an instant success with both pets and I could hear him laugh

up some quick

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

dog in hand so that he would not rush into the corridor and try to

policeman asked me. He was tall and kind-looking. Behind him was a handsome man in a

the police station in a few minutes. He’s playing with the cat in the living room.”

rushed inside the room straight to Eloim and hugged

The policeman stood aside next to my door so that I could

down, and told him, “Sit.” As I didn’t want him to bother the men, and took a treat from one of my

“No,” I heard from the living room.

his father and came to me. I understood what

“Lie down,” he told Miki, who complied

the treat.

told me.

Miki has had too many treats already.

Eloim pouted, and behind him, his father got

to go back home?” I asked

he said. “Spaghetti.”

to his

I promised him spaghetti before going to the police station. I don’t mind if he eats it first,” I

really

Eloim, as he went back to playing with Lily.

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

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

nodded.

still need me?” asked the policeman.

father said, shaking

The policeman then looked at me, aiming his question at me too. I was about to be left alone

“I will be fine,” I said, and shook his hand in turn.

we were left alone.

Mila,” I told him,

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

what?”