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.”

you, you know.”

up at me.

likes you too.”

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

there are a lot of other people who like you

He frowned.

you like me?” he asked.

“I do,” I replied.

hand on Lily and another on Miki and tried to coordinate his double petting.

“We could go on this trip together if you want.”

he

nodded. “We can wait a

hungry.”

you want to

he replied with determination.

help it, I smiled.

about, you play with Lily and Miki, while I prepare some spaghetti, and

He frowned,

could walk with Miki, he adores walks.”

he agreed.

them to Eloim, got up, and went to the kitchen.

with both pets and I

some quick homemade sauce as I had nothing

I heard knocks on

I had my suspicions 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

asked me. He was tall and kind-looking. Behind him was

were about to go to the police

room straight to Eloim and

stood aside next to my door so that I could close

want him to bother the men, and took a treat

from the living

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

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

gave the

“Another,” he told me.

had too many treats already.

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

go back home?”

“No,” he said. “Spaghetti.”

apologetically to his

me he 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.”

really strangely

as he went back

said again, looking between the cop and father. He looked at his son then back at me,

and let him eat first,”

nodded.

need me?” asked the

father said,

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

I said, and shook his hand in turn.

He left and we were left

Mila,” I told him, extending

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

what?”