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.”

likes you,

He looked up

likes you too.”

looked at the dog that was sitting right next to my thigh and looking at the scene joyfully.

lot of other people who like you too.”

He frowned.

you like me?” he

“I do,” I replied.

one hand on Lily and another on Miki and tried to coordinate his

trip together if

he said.

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

hungry.”

do you want to eat?”

replied

help it,

“How 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?”

He frowned, thinking.

walk with Miki, he adores walks.”

he agreed.

toys and lend them to Eloim, got up, and

pets and I could hear

I put water on the stove and scrounge up some

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

were confirmed as I opened the door, dog in hand so that he would not

Mont-Royal?” the policeman asked me. He was tall and kind-looking. Behind him was a handsome

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

to Eloim and hugged him talking

policeman stood aside next to my door

As I didn’t want him to bother the men, and took a treat

I heard from the living room.

what he wanted and gave him the treat so that he would

Miki, who complied immediately.

gave the treat.

told me.

treats already.

Eloim pouted, and behind him, his father got back on his feed

you ready to go back home?” I asked the

he said. “Spaghetti.”

looked apologetically to his

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

man looked really

“Spaghetti,” boomed Eloim, as he went back to

“I’m sorry,” I said again, looking between the cop and father. He looked at his son

your offer and let

I nodded.

“Do you still need me?” asked

officer,” the father said, shaking his hand.

his question at me too. I was about to be

said, and shook his

left and we were left alone.

Mila,” I told him, extending my

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

“Do what?”