So Long a Letter

Rama meets Iba, the father of her future grandchild, and is pleased to see that he is an attractive, patient, and kind man. Rama tells him of her fear: because her daughter is pregnant, she will be expelled from university. Iba suggests that because the baby will be born over the holidays, young Aissatou can dress in loose clothing for the spring semester, after which she will graduate and the couple will marry. Iba is a man, and therefore in no danger of expulsion, which strikes Rama as horribly unfair.

As time passes, Iba visits the house every day, spending time with Rama and her family and encouraging his future wife in her studies. Rama realizes that her lack of candor with her older daughters may have contributed to Aissatou’s pregnancy, and vows not to make the same mistake with her younger daughters. She gathers them together and explains the nature of sex and the importance of birth control. They accept the information uneasily, and Rama realizes that they may already have known.

Rama prepares to finish her letter. Aissatou, her oldest and dearest friend, will be arriving the next day. Preparations are underway, and Rama is filled with excitement.