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 know.”

up at me.

likes you too.”

at the dog that was sitting right next to my thigh and

sure there are a lot of other people who

He frowned.

“Do you like me?” he asked.

I replied.

on Miki and

on this trip together if

he said.

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

“I’m hungry.”

do you want to

he replied with

it, I smiled.

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

He frowned,

could walk with Miki, he adores walks.”

he agreed.

them to Eloim, got up, and went

pets

put water on the stove and scrounge up some quick homemade sauce as

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

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

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

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

rushed inside the room straight to Eloim and

door so that I could close it.

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

I heard from the living

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

Miki, who complied immediately.

the treat.

“Another,” he told

“No, Eloim. Miki has had too many treats already. This will be enough for today.”

got back

back home?” I asked the child.

said. “Spaghetti.”

I looked apologetically to his father.

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

The man looked really strangely at me.

went back to playing with Lily.

father. He looked at his son then back

on your offer and let him

I nodded.

me?” asked

officer,” the father said, shaking his

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

said, and shook his hand in

we were left alone.

him,

We shook hands. “How did

“Do what?”