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

really likes you, you know.”

up

you too.”

the dog that was sitting right next to my

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

He frowned.

like me?”

do,” I replied.

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

this trip together if

he said.

“We can wait a few more

“I’m hungry.”

want

“Spaghetti,” he replied with determination.

couldn’t help it, I smiled.

some spaghetti, and then once you’ve eaten we can go and

frowned,

Miki, he adores

he

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

success with both pets and I

the stove and scrounge up some quick homemade sauce as I had nothing ready.

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

were confirmed as I opened the door, dog in hand so

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

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

straight to Eloim and hugged him talking

stood aside next to my door so that I could close

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

from the living room.

father and came to me. I understood what he

Miki, who complied immediately.

the treat.

“Another,” he told me.

Eloim. Miki has had too many treats already. This will be enough for today.”

father got

you ready to go back home?” I asked the child.

said. “Spaghetti.”

I looked apologetically to

before going to the police station. I don’t mind

The man looked really strangely at me.

Eloim, as he went back to

I said again, looking between the cop and father. He

I will take you on your offer and

I nodded.

“Do you still need me?” asked the policeman.

the father

policeman then looked at me, aiming his question at me too. I was about to be

be fine,” I said, and shook

He left and we

him, extending my hand.

hands. “How did you

what?”