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 Lily.”

“Lily really likes you,

looked up at me.

“Miki likes you

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

sure there are a lot of other people

He frowned.

“Do you like me?”

“I do,” I replied.

hand on Lily and another on

this trip together if you

he said.

“We can wait a few more minutes.”

“I’m hungry.”

“What do you want to

he replied with determination.

it, I

I prepare some spaghetti, and then once you’ve

frowned, thinking.

Miki, he adores

“Okay,” he agreed.

and lend them to

both pets

scrounge up some quick

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

dog in hand so that he would not rush into

policeman asked me. He was tall and kind-looking. Behind him was a handsome man in a blazer looking

to the police station

rushed inside the room straight to Eloim and hugged him

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

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

heard from the living room.

I understood what he wanted and gave him the treat so that he would give it

“Lie down,” he told Miki, who complied immediately.

gave the treat.

told me.

treats already. This will

Eloim pouted, and behind him, his father got

ready to go back home?” I asked the child.

“No,” he said. “Spaghetti.”

to his father.

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

really strangely at me.

Eloim, as he went back to

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

I will take you on your offer and let him eat first,” he told

nodded.

still need me?” asked

the father said, shaking

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

shook his hand

and we were left

“I’m Mila,” I told him,

“How did you do

what?”