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

up at me.

“Miki likes you too.”

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

“I’m sure there are a lot of other people who like

He frowned.

“Do you like me?” he asked.

I replied.

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

could go on this trip

“Later,” he said.

wait a few more minutes.”

“I’m hungry.”

want to eat?”

replied with

couldn’t help it,

“How about, you play with Lily and Miki, while I prepare some spaghetti, and then once you’ve eaten we

He frowned, thinking.

Miki, he adores walks.”

he

lend them to Eloim,

with both pets and

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

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

opened the door, dog in hand so that he would not rush into the corridor and

was tall and kind-looking.

“Yes, gentlemen,” I said moving aside. “He’s here. We were about to go to the police station in

rushed inside the room straight to Eloim and hugged him talking

policeman stood aside next to my door so that I could close it.

the men, and took a treat from one of my drawers to

from the living

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

“Lie down,” he told Miki, who

Then he gave the

told

had too many treats already. This will be

and behind him, his father got back on his feed

back home?”

he said. “Spaghetti.”

to

“I’m sorry. He told me he was hungry and I promised him spaghetti before going to the police station. I don’t mind if he eats

man looked really

boomed Eloim, as he went back to playing with

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

your offer and let him eat first,”

I nodded.

need me?” asked the policeman.

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

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

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

He left and we were left alone.

I told him, extending

“Xander.” We shook hands. “How did you do that?”

“Do what?”