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.”

“Lily really likes you, you

up at

you too.”

next to

there are a lot of other

frowned.

you like me?” he

“I do,” I replied.

another on Miki and tried

go on this trip together if you want.”

“Later,” he said.

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

hungry.”

do you want to eat?”

replied with determination.

couldn’t help it, I smiled.

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?”

frowned, thinking.

could walk with Miki, he adores walks.”

he agreed.

grabbed some of the pet’s toys and lend them to Eloim, got

with both pets and

up some

was nearly cooked, and the sauce underway when I heard knocks on the door. Miki barked,

had my suspicions that were confirmed as I opened the door, dog in hand so that he would not rush into the corridor and

child at Mont-Royal?” the policeman asked me. He was tall and kind-looking. Behind

about to go to the police station in a few minutes. He’s playing with the cat in

straight to Eloim and hugged him talking

The policeman stood aside next to my door so that

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

from the living room.

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

Miki, who complied immediately.

Then he gave the

told

treats already.

got back on

go back home?” I asked the child.

he said. “Spaghetti.”

I looked apologetically to his

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

The man looked really strangely at

“Spaghetti,” boomed Eloim, as he went

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

your offer and let

I nodded.

need me?” asked the policeman.

officer,” the father said, shaking his hand.

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

be fine,” I said, and shook his hand in turn.

He left and we were left alone.

told him,

hands. “How

“Do what?”