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.”

really likes you, you know.”

up at me.

likes you too.”

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

of other people who like you too.”

frowned.

“Do you like me?” he asked.

do,” I

hand on Lily and another on

go on this trip

“Later,” he said.

can wait

hungry.”

want

he replied with determination.

couldn’t help it,

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

frowned, thinking.

“We could walk with Miki, he adores

“Okay,” he

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

both pets and I could hear him laugh enthusiastically.

stove and scrounge up some quick

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

confirmed as I opened the door, dog in hand so that he would

child at Mont-Royal?” the policeman asked me. He was tall

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

The man rushed inside the room straight to Eloim and

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

my dog down, and told him, “Sit.” As I didn’t want him to bother the men, and took a treat from one of my drawers

“No,” I heard from the living room.

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

told Miki, who

he gave the

“Another,” he told me.

had too many treats already.

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

you ready to go back home?”

“No,” he said. “Spaghetti.”

I looked apologetically to his father.

I promised him spaghetti before going to the police station. I don’t mind if he eats it first,” I said. “Or not.”

looked really

he went

said again, looking between the cop and father. He

you on your offer and let

I nodded.

still need me?” asked

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

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

be fine,” I said, and shook

He left and we were

I told him, extending my hand.

shook hands. “How did you do

what?”