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.”

likes you, you

looked up at me.

you too.”

He looked at the dog that was sitting right next to my

“I’m sure there are a lot of other people who like you too.”

He frowned.

“Do you like me?” he asked.

I

one hand on Lily and another on Miki and

go on this trip together if you want.”

he said.

I nodded. “We can wait

hungry.”

want to

“Spaghetti,” he replied with

it, I

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

He frowned, thinking.

walk with Miki, he adores walks.”

he

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

was an instant success with both pets

on the stove and scrounge up some quick homemade sauce as

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

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

me. He was tall and kind-looking. Behind him was a handsome

“He’s here. We were about to go to the police station in a few minutes. He’s playing

straight to

aside next to my door so that I

down, and told him, “Sit.” As I didn’t want him to bother the

“No,” I heard from the living room.

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

down,” he told Miki,

the treat.

he told

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

him, his father got back on his

to go back home?”

he said. “Spaghetti.”

I looked apologetically to his father.

“I’m sorry. He told me he was hungry and I promised him spaghetti before going to the police station. I

man looked really strangely at me.

boomed Eloim, as he went back to playing with

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

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

I nodded.

still need me?” asked the policeman.

“No, thank you officer,” the father said, shaking

policeman then looked at me, aiming his question at me too. I was about to be left alone with a stranger in my

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

left and we

I told him, extending my hand.

“How did you do that?”

what?”