I Will Always Write Back

Martin is thankful for Caitlin’s latest care package, which includes a tarp, buckets, and rain purification tablets. As it has been raining constantly, the family has tried their best to fill up the holes in their home with sticks and straws. Martin’s mother has resorted to using Caitlin’s letters to help patch up some of the leaking holes, which Martin is saddened by but understands.

At school, Martin hears the good news that he has received the highest score in his O-level exams in his entire school. He has received an A across all nine subjects. Mr. Samupindi tells Martin that his grades can get him into the Marist Brothers school in Nyanga, a private boarding school that will guarantee him a successful placement at a US university. However, the semester starts soon, and it will cost Martin a lot of money to attend, although his grades may earn him a scholarship.

Martin decides to find out for himself what it will take to get into Marist Brothers. He takes a bus to Nyanga, which is three hours away from Mutare. He manages to ride with a pickup truck that is already on its way to the Marist Brothers school to drop off food supplies. Once at Marist Brothers, he is told that the headmaster, Mr. Muzawazi, will not be around until the next morning. Martin has only planned to stay in Nyanga for the day and has no place to sleep at night until the next morning. He is advised to speak to one of the students, to see if they can help him find a bed for the night.

When Martin looks around, he overhears someone refer to another student as Rabbit. Martin infers that Rabbit is not from a wealthy family, based on his name, and tells him the story of how he has come to Marist Brothers. He learns that Rabbit is from a countryside that is even more impoverished than Chisamba Singles. As the two share their impoverished backgrounds, they become friends. Rabbit tells Martin that he must speak with Mr. Muzawazi and ask to be admitted because of the urgency of his circumstances.

Rabbit gives Martin a tour of the school and dorms. He invites Martin to stay for dinner. Martin is grateful for this as he has not eaten since early that morning.

The next day, Martin meets with the headmaster, Mr. Muzawazi. Although Mr. Muzawazi initially insists that the school is full, Martin relays how hard he has worked at his O-level exams and the level of poverty he experiences. Mr. Muzawazi finally agrees to admit Martin on the condition that he make a deposit for school fees in the next few days. Martin agrees.

When Martin returns to Mutare, he tells his parents his plan to ask his cousin Alois for a loan to pay the deposit and to purchase the necessary school items, such as uniforms, textbooks, and a trunk for all his belongings. Alois and his wife, Sekai, generously agree to pay the deposit for Martin’s school fees and for his school supplies. As the semester is about to begin at Marist Brothers, Martin packs his belongings in his trunk and bids his family farewell.

When Martin arrives at the Marist Brothers school, he finds that Rabbit has already reserved a bed beside him in the dorm. When Martin puts up photographs of Caitlin on their shared locker, everyone starts to believe that Caitlin is his American girlfriend. Although Martin insists they are best friends, everyone believes the two of them are dating, which immediately elevates his social status at the school.