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.”

looked up at

you

was sitting right next to my thigh and looking

a lot of other

frowned.

“Do you like me?” he

“I do,” I

another on Miki

go on this trip

“Later,” he said.

“We can wait a few more

“I’m hungry.”

do you want to eat?”

“Spaghetti,” he replied with

I couldn’t help it, I

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

frowned,

Miki, he adores walks.”

“Okay,” he agreed.

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

both pets and I could hear him laugh

some quick homemade sauce as I had nothing

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

in hand so that he would not rush into the corridor and try to

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

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

room straight to Eloim and

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

“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.

“No,” I heard from the living room.

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

down,” he told Miki, who complied

Then he gave the treat.

told me.

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

his father got

ready to go back home?”

said.

I looked apologetically to his father.

going to the police station. I don’t mind if he eats it first,” I said.

The man looked really strangely

boomed Eloim, as he went back to playing with Lily.

I said again, looking between the cop and father.

I will take you on your offer and let him

I nodded.

you still need me?” asked the policeman.

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

at me, aiming his question at me too. I was

shook his hand in turn. “Thank you.”

He left and we were left

I told him, extending

“How did you do

what?”