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.”

likes you, you know.”

up at me.

“Miki likes you

He looked at the dog that was sitting right next to

there are a lot of other people who like

He frowned.

like me?” he asked.

“I do,” I

on Miki and tried to

this trip together if you want.”

he said.

I nodded. “We can wait a few more

“I’m hungry.”

“What do you want to eat?”

“Spaghetti,” he replied

couldn’t help it,

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

He frowned,

with Miki,

he agreed.

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

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

up some quick homemade sauce as I had

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

dog in hand so that he would not rush into

was tall and kind-looking. Behind him was a handsome man in

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

The man rushed inside the room straight to

policeman stood aside next to my door so that I

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

heard from the living

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

“Lie down,” he told Miki, who complied

he gave the treat.

“Another,” he told me.

had too many treats already. This will

behind him, his father got back

to go back home?” I asked the child.

said.

I looked apologetically to

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

man looked really strangely

went back to playing with Lily.

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

will take you on your offer and let him eat

I nodded.

me?” asked the

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

question at me too. I was about to be left alone with a

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

and we were left alone.

“I’m Mila,” I told him, extending my

hands. “How did you

what?”