Finding Paddie

When Odartey showed Koshie the complete picture of her little kitten, it looked like the most perfect picture she had ever seen. However, she was sad that she could not see everything he did behind closed doors when she was away. She kept wondering, although she had described Paddie perfectly, how he did not miss any detail. Did he keep all in his mind? She did not see him writing any detail down. He must have a photographic memory then or he bought into her mind without her knowledge and found all the information he needed in her absence. With Paddie unmistakeably captured on paper however, both she and Odartey could make progress. They would begin by searching for her in every nook and cranny.

"I've done everything a friend would be grateful for, Koshie," he said. "What could be responsible for this long face? I thought I would see that lovely smile of yours'?"

"I would have loved to see every step of progress, Odartey. You left me out."

"I'm very sorry about that," he explained. "I was so eager to complete it that I forgot all about you. I didn't think it would make much of a difference. Forgive me." He held her close and put her head on his shoulder.

"Can we proceed now?" he asked after a few minutes. "If you're okay with it.

"Let's go ahead with it, Odartey. It's now or never." With permission from his closest friend, he was happy to proceed with pasting a few copies on the available trees and notice boards both in and out of town. Koshie's eyes lit up as every picture lit the neighbourhood.

"My kitten has suddenly become popular," she exclaimed. Odartey leered at her from the corner of his eyes and smiled.

"Why are you smiling? Odartey?" she asked.

"I'm glad you're happy, Koshie. A smile looks good on you." Suddenly, out of the blue, a teenager emerged from the corner of the streets with a kitten that looked just like Paddie.

"Odartey!" she called. "Take a look at that kitten!" Odartey turned to peer at the kitten she was referring to. He did not seem convinced about it. In a bid to fuel his doubts, he drew closer to examine it.

"You should be examining her yourself," he said. "You know her better." Koshie drew closer to the boy who was oblivious of her intentions at first.

"Hi! Do you like my kitten?" he said, relieved.

"She looks like my missing kitten," she replied. "Can I take a look at her?"

"Sure! I'm not sure she's the one though." Koshie studied her carefully for a few minutes, scrutinising the ribbons and tags on her feet. She surely was the one. She held her tightly.

"Ooooooohhhh! I'm so grateful!" she exclaimed.

"Are you sure this the one you are looking for?" the boy asked.

"Yes, I'm sure," she said. Odartey leered at the teenager. He wore a wry smile and seemed to be holding back some information. Odartey did not want to spoil Koshie's fun by being inquisitive. He held out his hand for the kitten as she curled up in his arms.

"Lovely!" he exclaimed, still not sure whether it was because it was feeling cold or not. As they were leaving, the teenager seemed to be nervous about something. Odartey was having mixed feelings too. Something did not seem right.

"Wait!" exclaimed the teenager, snatching the kitten back from her and extending an open right hand.

"You have to give me a few cedis for finding her." he demanded.

"Why would you ask for a reward?" quizzically engaging her detective senses. "Are you trying to pull a fast one?"

"No!" interrupted Odartey. This was not the right time to confront him. They may miss a good opportunity if they did so and might end up with nothing at all. That would be heart breaking. "We didn't promise to give any rewards. We can confer with the police officer over there if you are in doubt." Expecting that the mention of the Police officer would let him do right and it did. The boy began to fumble and Koshie leered at him suspiciously.

"Let's not go that far," said Koshie. Involving the police officer would rob her of the opportunity of being her own detective.

"I think he's hiding something," whispered Odartey into Koshie's ears. "Let's just play along."

A police officer was truly leaning against a streetlight, eating his lunch. As they peered towards his direction, the teenager changed his mind and said, "You can have her", and walked sullenly away, crossing the street cautiously.

"You were right," said Koshie.

"But we still have to find out the skeletons in the cupboard," he replied. "What if it's not Paddie after all?" Upon saying that, he realised the boy was getting away quickly.

"Wait!" yelled Odartey after him.

"Hey!" yelled the police officer, dropping his boeuf loaves on the floor in a haste to avert a near disaster.

"Allow him to cross the street in peace. He might be distracted. I suppose whatever you want to tell him can wait."

"No it can't," said Odartey. "This is our first time of meeting him, and if we do not talk now, we may be near and yet so far to an answer to our pertinent questions."

"Alright," said the police officer. "Make it snappy then, and let him be on his way." Odartey searched through his pocket and found a few notes and placed them in the boy's hands. The boy's eyes shot up. He never expected him to reward him that much.

"Thank you," he said, and began to walk away, unable to take his eyes off them. Odartey stopped him in his tracks. If he needed to let the cat out of the bag, it should be now or never.

"May we know your name?" Odartey intervened.

"Fiifi," he replied.

"We are grateful for your kind gesture," said Odartey, shaking his hand. He was still gaping at Odartey as if he was an imposing figure. Was Odartey at it again? Making an impression on every person he met? Fiifi crossed the street gingerly and walked past the police officer who was nibbling at the pieces he was able to salvage, guarding them jealously so they would not fall this time. He did not even notice it when Fiifi crossed the street again to the other side.

As Koshie and Odartey walked with a spring in their steps back home, Koshie was so grateful for Fiifi's kind gesture.

Odartey heard a few prominent shrieks from his garage as he drew nearer to his house. They sounded like those of kittens. It was time to find out for himself. He searched thoroughly with his eyes, focusing on every tiny detail so he would not miss anything, his ears wide open so he could hear a pin drop. Soon, the shrieks grew more pronounced. He seemed to be getting closer to them with each passing minute. Eureka! At long last! There they were, cuddled together, beautiful kittens just like the one he had painted. He was so confused that he stood staring at it for a while. Why would Koshie's kitten find refuge in his garage and why had they mistaken Fiifi's kitten for Paddie? Perhaps Fiifi was only after the reward. Unfortunately, they had fallen for it. How would they find Fiifi to return his kitten? Koshie had fallen for Fiifi's trick and may not be able to forgive herself for that. Odartey picked one up, hoping it might be Koshie's. This time, he would not be wrong to engage his fifth sense. Something about the one he picked told him it was Paddie. He seemed to have a witness in his spirit. He was alone and no one could judge him from employing special powers to help a friend in need once again. He was like superman or spider man, a real hero without all the hullaballoo. Koshie would be so confused when he breaks the news to her, yet he had to do it anyway.

Koshie heard footsteps at her door. She could tell they were those of Odartey's. Why had he returned to her house so soon after they had parted? Koshie's mother met him at the door, excited to have him around.

"Thanks for helping Koshie find her kitten, Odartey," said Koshie's mother. His demeanour changed all of a sudden. "How will we ever be able to repay you for this wonderful deed? I hear you drew her. Wooow!" Koshie's mother went on and on so much that he felt more and more jittery and powerless to interrupt her and explain the new turn of events.

"Sorry," finally ending her babbling. "I forgot to get Koshie for you."

"Kooooshie! Odartey is here!" Koshie rushed to the door, gaping at Odartey sheepishly. She was however eager to find out the reason for his sudden return. She was expecting some good news though.

"I'm sorry Koshie," he said.

"Sorry? Sorry for what?" she asked. "You were great!"

"We got the wrong kitten."

"But I checked the tags? It was Paddie alright."

"Did she respond the way she usually does?" he asked.

"Well, not really," she replied. "I thought she would warm up to me with time because of the several days we were separated."

"Come with me and see for yourself," he said. Koshie followed Odartey gingerly, praying she would be able to handle the new turn of events in a mature way. Before approaching Odartey's garage, she stopped him and said: "Can you just break the news to me instead of allowing me to see it for myself?"

"I trust you will be able to handle it," he said. "I would not have brought you here if I thought you couldn't do so." Odartey heaved a big sigh of relief and opened the garage door. Koshie shut her eyes. She wished she had not seen what she just saw.

"Whaaaaat!!!?" There were duplicates of Paddie cuddling together in a little corner, changing places with every passing minute so a different kitten's fur was exposed every time. Odartey was speechless too.

"When did you notice they were here?" she asked.

"Just when we returned," he replied.

"Was Fiifi deceiving us then?" she asked.

"We must find out right away," he replied. "We can't let him get away with this."

"Perhaps we do not know the full story yet." Said Koshie

"But I thought they were all given away?"

Koshie and Odartey followed the directions Fiifi gave them to his house. Fiifi was surprised to see them at his gate. He was lost for words and ashamed of himself.

"Why did you do this to us?" asked Koshie.

"I wanted the reward," he said. "And your friend seemed so sure of herself that I didn't want to disappoint her."

I thought as much. Koshie thought to herself.

"We are here to return your kitten," said Odartey. He handed the kitten over to him gracefully. Fiifi bowed his head low.

"One more thing you will have to know about these kittens," said Fiifi "Our family was given one of the kittens as a gift"

."So why would you want to give it away then?" asked Koshie.

"I was motivated by the reward" he said remorsefully." I thought you would never find out. I guess I have to give it back now." He headed towards his room to bring back the few notes Odartey gave to him.

"Wait!" said Odartey. Don't bother. You can keep it for yourself," Fiifi lifted his head and smiled.

"I'll help you take care of the rest," said Fiifi. "I love kittens too."

"I love kittens too," said Koshie.

"That makes two of you" said Odartey. "Plus one." They all laughed heartily.

"So which one is really Paddie?" Fiifi asked.

"At least, it's not the one you're holding," replied Odartey. "We'll find out from the rest soon" Koshie squeezed herself amongst the crowded kittens and goggled at them carefully, lifting each one up and studying their furs. Only one stood out amongst the rest with a tiny black stripe. That was Paddie all right.

"Are you sure?" asked Odartey. He needed no reply. The kitten cuddled around Koshie, purring loudly.

"It's Paddie alright," he concluded.

Koshie was excited she had a few other kittens for herself. She named the rest; Mr. Frimpong after their owner, Odartey Junior after he best friend Odartey, Obolo, Slim Macho, and Gratitude.