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.”

likes you, you

up at me.

you too.”

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

of other people who like

He frowned.

“Do you like me?” he asked.

I

Lily and another on Miki

trip together if you

he said.

nodded. “We can wait a few more

“I’m hungry.”

do you want to eat?”

“Spaghetti,” he replied with determination.

I couldn’t help it,

with Lily and Miki, while I prepare some spaghetti, and then once you’ve

frowned, thinking.

walk with Miki, he adores

he agreed.

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

was an instant success with both pets

put water on the stove and scrounge up some quick homemade sauce as I

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

that were confirmed as I opened the door, dog in hand so that he would not rush into the corridor and try to impress the cop.

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

We were about to go to the police station in a

man rushed inside the room straight to Eloim and

aside next to my door

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

from

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

he told Miki, who

gave the treat.

he told

treats already. This will be enough

got back on his feed

go back home?” I asked

he said.

apologetically to

was hungry and I promised him spaghetti before going to the police station. I

man looked really strangely at me.

he went back to playing with Lily.

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

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

nodded.

“Do you still need me?” asked the

officer,” the father

his question at me too. I was about to

be fine,” I said, and shook

left and we were left

I told him, extending

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

“Do what?”