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.”

really likes you, you

looked up at

“Miki likes you

dog that was sitting right next

are a lot of other people who like

frowned.

“Do you like me?” he asked.

do,” I replied.

Lily and another on Miki and

go on this trip together if

he

nodded. “We can wait a few more

“I’m hungry.”

want to eat?”

“Spaghetti,” he replied with determination.

I couldn’t help it, I smiled.

spaghetti, and then once you’ve eaten

He frowned, thinking.

“We could walk with Miki, he adores walks.”

he agreed.

of the pet’s toys and lend them to Eloim, got up, and went to the kitchen.

both pets and

put water on the stove and scrounge up some

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

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

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

to the police station in a few minutes.

the room straight to

policeman stood aside next to my door so

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

heard from

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

told Miki, who complied immediately.

the

told

Eloim. Miki has had too many treats

father got back on his feed with wide eyes.

“Are you ready to go back home?” I asked the child.

said.

looked apologetically to his father.

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

man looked really strangely

“Spaghetti,” boomed Eloim, as he went back to

looking between the cop and father. He looked at

“Maybe I will take you on your offer and

I nodded.

me?” asked the policeman.

father

was about to

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

He left and we were left

him, extending my

hands. “How

“Do what?”