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?”

I pet Lily.”

“Lily really likes you, you

He looked up at me.

likes you too.”

next to my thigh and looking at the scene joyfully.

sure there are a lot of other people who like you

frowned.

like me?” he asked.

I

one hand on Lily and another on Miki and tried to

go on this trip together if you want.”

he said.

“We can wait a few more minutes.”

“I’m hungry.”

want to eat?”

“Spaghetti,” he replied with

couldn’t help it, I smiled.

about, you play with Lily and Miki, while I prepare some spaghetti, and then once you’ve eaten

frowned, thinking.

could walk with Miki, he adores walks.”

“Okay,” he agreed.

pet’s toys and lend them to Eloim, got up, and went to

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

the stove and scrounge up some quick homemade sauce

nearly cooked, and the sauce underway when I heard knocks on the

I opened the door, dog in hand so that he would not rush into the corridor and try to impress the

child at Mont-Royal?” the policeman asked me. He was tall and kind-looking.

I said moving aside. “He’s here. We were about to go to the police

The man rushed inside the room straight to Eloim and hugged him talking softly.

to my door so that I could close

I didn’t want him to bother the men, and took a treat from

“No,” I heard from

Eloim extricated himself from whom I assumed was his father and came to me. I understood what he wanted and gave him the treat so that he would

Miki, who complied immediately.

he gave the treat.

told me.

Eloim. Miki has had too many treats

his father got back

to go back home?” I asked the child.

“No,” he said. “Spaghetti.”

I looked apologetically to his

to the police station.

really strangely at

went back to playing with Lily.

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

take you on your offer and let him

nodded.

“Do you still need me?” asked the

officer,” the father said, shaking his

I was about to be

I said, and shook his hand in turn. “Thank

we were left alone.

told him, extending my hand.

hands. “How did you

“Do what?”