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

really likes you,

looked up at me.

you

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

a lot of other people who like you too.”

frowned.

“Do you like me?” he asked.

I

one hand on Lily and another on Miki and

“We could go on this trip

he said.

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

“I’m hungry.”

you want to eat?”

“Spaghetti,” he replied with determination.

I 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 walk together?”

frowned, thinking.

could walk with Miki,

“Okay,” he agreed.

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

an instant success with both pets and I could hear him

and scrounge up some quick homemade sauce as I had

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

hand so that he would not rush into the

“Hello, Miss. You called for a lost child at Mont-Royal?” the policeman asked me. He was tall and kind-looking. Behind him was a handsome man in a blazer

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

room straight to Eloim and hugged him talking

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

didn’t want him to bother the men, and took a treat from one of my drawers to give

“No,” I heard from the

from whom I assumed was his father and came to me. I understood what he wanted

down,” he told Miki, who complied immediately.

he gave the treat.

he told

“No, Eloim. Miki has had too many treats already. This

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

“Are you ready to go back home?” I asked

he said.

to

I promised him spaghetti before going to the police station.

The man looked really strangely

boomed Eloim, as he went back

the cop and father. He looked

you on your offer and let him eat first,” he

nodded.

need me?” asked the

the father said, shaking his

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

said, and shook his

we were

told him, extending my hand.

“How did you do

what?”