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

likes you, you know.”

He looked up at me.

likes you

next to my

of

frowned.

“Do you like me?”

“I do,” I replied.

one hand on Lily and another on

go on this trip together if you want.”

“Later,” he said.

can wait a few more minutes.”

hungry.”

“What do you want to eat?”

replied with determination.

couldn’t help it,

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

frowned, thinking.

Miki, he

he

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

success with both pets and I could

put water on the stove and scrounge up some quick homemade sauce as I

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

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

was tall and

I said moving aside. “He’s here. We were about to go to the police

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

next to my door so that

to bother the men, and took a treat from

heard from the living

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

he told Miki, who complied

gave the treat.

“Another,” he told me.

has had too many treats already. This will be

pouted, and behind him, his father got back on his feed with wide

you ready to go back home?” I asked the

he said. “Spaghetti.”

to

he was hungry and I promised him spaghetti before going to the police station. I don’t

really strangely at me.

he went back to playing

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

on your offer and let him eat first,” he

nodded.

need me?” asked the policeman.

officer,” the father said, shaking his hand.

me, aiming his question at me too. I was about to be left alone with a stranger in my home after all.

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

and we were left

him, extending my hand.

“Xander.” We shook hands. “How

what?”