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

really likes you, you

up at me.

you too.”

He looked at the dog that was sitting right next to my thigh and looking at the scene joyfully.

sure there are a lot of other people who like you too.”

He frowned.

me?” he asked.

I replied.

on Miki and tried

trip together if you

he said.

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

hungry.”

want

replied

couldn’t help it, I smiled.

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

frowned, thinking.

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

he

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

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

the stove and scrounge up some quick homemade sauce as I had

and the sauce underway when I heard knocks on the door. Miki barked, but Eloim

I 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

You called for a lost child at Mont-Royal?” the policeman asked me. He was tall and kind-looking. Behind

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

man rushed inside the room straight to Eloim and hugged him talking softly.

next to my door so that I could close it.

I put my 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 to give it to him.

I heard from

was his father and came to me. I understood what he wanted and gave him the treat so that he would

told Miki, who complied

he gave the treat.

told me.

has had too many treats

him, his father got back on his

ready to go back home?” I

“No,” he said. “Spaghetti.”

I looked apologetically to his

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

man looked really strangely at

Eloim, as he went back to playing with Lily.

father. He looked at his son then back at me, puzzled.

your offer and let

I nodded.

“Do you still need me?” asked

officer,” the father

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

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

and we

I told him, extending

shook hands. “How did you do

“Do what?”