I Will Always Write Back

Martin has been going to the market every day to pick up jobs wherever he can find them. He has already missed several months of school, but he is set on returning soon. One day, the mailman comes with a letter for Martin from Caitlin. When Martin opens it, he finds a letter of concern from Caitlin and a $20 bill enclosed. He brings the money to his mother, who is overjoyed. Since the post office is to close earlier that day, they walk several miles to the city center to exchange the $20 bill at the bank. Due to inflation, the $20 US bill yields 700 Zimbabwean dollars, enough to cover not only Martin’s school fees for the semester but also to help Nation finish his last year of school so that he can pursue his soccer career.

After Martin and his mother exchange the US bill, they tuck the money safely away so as not to attract attention. Since the economic situation is so dire in Zimbabwe, crimes such as robberies and muggings have become common. Fortunately, they are able to return home undetected. For the first time in a while, they will eat meat on Christmas. Martin’s mother also announces that there will be an exception that day, stating, “Let’s celebrate today, in honor of Caitlin” (113). They purchase a live chicken from the market, telling others that it is a gift from an uncle in Harare, so as not to draw attention to the fact that an American friend has been sending money.

With enough money to pay his school fees, Martin returns to school and works hard to keep up with all the missed lessons. He stays behind after school to copy notes from textbooks. He even finds a way to sneak into the Mutare Teachers’ College library at night, since he knows they have electricity that can help him study. After a month, he is able to catch up with all his missed lessons.

After receiving Martin’s letter, she resolves to be more aware of her privilege. Hearing about Martin’s living conditions has made her aware of how fortunate her life has been. In her next letter to Martin, she encloses two $20 bills that she earned from her babysitting job and asks him more questions about his family and living conditions.

At school, Caitlin tries to tell her friends about how Martin is doing. Her friends tease her once again about her “African boyfriend” (116), which irritates Caitlin, as she insists once again that she and Martin are like family. She is frustrated that her friends do not seem to understand how important Martin is to her.

In future correspondences, Caitlin makes a more conscientious effort to ask Martin more questions about his life, instead of assuming that his life resembles her own. She starts to babysit during weekends to earn more money that she can send to Martin. She does not tell her parents about sending money to Martin.