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.”

you, you know.”

up

likes you too.”

that was sitting right next

“I’m sure there are a lot of

He frowned.

“Do you like me?”

I

one hand on Lily and another on Miki and tried to coordinate his double petting.

could go on this trip together

he

nodded. “We can wait a few more

“I’m hungry.”

want to eat?”

replied

I couldn’t help it, I smiled.

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

He frowned,

with Miki,

“Okay,” he agreed.

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

instant success with both pets and I could hear him

scrounge up some quick homemade sauce as I had nothing

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

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 cop.

the policeman asked me. He was tall

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

to Eloim and hugged him

stood aside next to my door so that I could close

the men, and took a treat from one of

I heard from

what

down,” he told Miki, who complied

gave the treat.

told me.

treats

and behind him, his father got

you ready to go back home?” I asked

said. “Spaghetti.”

apologetically to his father.

to the police station. I don’t mind if he eats

looked really strangely at me.

he went back to playing with

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

you on your offer and let him eat

nodded.

need me?” asked

thank you officer,” the father said, shaking his

me too. I was about

“I will be fine,” I said, and shook his

and we were left alone.

Mila,” I told him, extending my hand.

hands. “How did you do that?”

“Do what?”