Hello!

THANK YOU:

CHARLENE BATES: I am glad that you LOVE the name Jeremy, I thought it was pretty cute myself! And Patrick really appreciates you simpathising with him) Thank you for your reviews!

ELAINE DAWKINS: I am so sorry that the names I am picking out remind you of annoying people! I will try to do better next time. (Although I did think that it was pretty funny) And yes, I can't wait till Fagin gets older to because I know exactly how I want everything to work out, the first parts when he is younger our terribly hard to write! Thank you for your reviews!

ILSEAVERILHAYNSWORTH: Yes I know that Patrick is really not an English name, please forgive me for overlooking( I am glad though that you like the name Jeremy, I know that you are an expert on names, and think that the names that I like are kind of strange! Thank you for your reviews!

O.K. on with chapter five ;)

AM I A JEW?

When Patrick arrived home that evening, his mother promptly sent him up to his room to change his wet clothes.

Patrick entered his room, shut the door, and began rummaging in his dresser, all the time thinking on how he was going to ask his parents 'the question'. He slowly pulled off his damp trousers, and pulled on a new, clean pair and a shirt. Deep in thought, he sat down on his bed. When he thought he was ready enough, he went back down stairs to supper.

"Well, you sure took your time!" Jenny exclaimed as Patrick reentered the kitchen.

"Sorry," he apologized, and scooted into his seat. He felt very nervous, and was getting butterflys' in his stomach, and his hands were cold and sweaty. "It's just a little question, nothing to get all scared about." a little voice inside him said, while another voice reminded him, "If they say 'no' you will have nothing to worry about. But, if they say 'yes' well then, you will lose your chance of getting a friend, and it may be your only chance..." A door slam and his fathers heavy footsteps broke him out of his thoughts.

From the sound of all the racket, Patrick could tell his father was no in a good mood.

Mathew banged his way into the kitchen, and sat down heavily on his chair.

"Something wrong dear?" Jenny asked her husband, while bringing some steaming chicken soup to the table.

"Somethings wrong alright," Mathew said, gruffly. "Our best milking cow, Daisy, has got some infection and it's spread to her liver, and I don't expect her to live through the night. I don't know how long it will be until we can scrap up enough money to get a new one." He sighed, then looked aggravated again and turned his attention to Patrick and said angrily, "Patrick, I never saw you this afternoon, where were you?"

Patrick gasped, he had forgot! Mathew had strictly told him to meat him in the gores stable that afternoon to help him clean it out. After all the excitement and fun of meeting Jeremy, he must have forgot! "I forgot..."

"Forgot," his father interruped him. "I've heard that excuse, more than I care to remember, and if I ever catch you skipping your duty's again, I'll..."

"Mathew," Jenny broke in, "Let's just settle down, Patrick didn't mean any harm for heavens sake. Eat your supper, your tired."

Mathew and Jenny then began to get into a heated argument.

Patrick began to wonder if he should ask the question later, but he needed to know before tomorrow. He was about to ask when he was struck with another question. Should he ask his mother or father? He didn't like messing with his father when he was in terrible moods like tonight, but it would seem strange to ask his mother though. Should he ask both? No, he would just ask his father, he needed an answer!

His parents were still arguing, and didn't look like they were plaining to stop anytime soon, so, he decided to interuped.

"Father," he began, timidly. "Um...our we...what reli...I mean..um..our we Jews?" Patrick held his breath, waiting for the fatal word.

A sudden silence fell over the room. Patrick looked at his father, for what seemed like eternity, before Mathew finally opened his mouth to speak. "How did such a silly question get into your mind?"

Patrick was planning to tell them all about Jeremy, when a thought came to him, that since his parents never had let him go to school, or church, or to just the town to play with the other children, they might not let him play with Jeremy, so he just told him that he was wondering.

There was a long pause, then Jenny spoke up, "Patrick, what has your father told you about interrupting your parents?"

"But mother..." Patrick began.

"Patrick!" his father said sharply, "not another word."

"Yes sir." Patrick whispered, and looked down at his plate.

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The next afternoon Patrick met Jeremy in the same place as last time.

"Hey Jeremy!" He panted. "I asked...I asked... my parents... they said..."

"Why don't you catch your breath first, then I just might be able to understand you better!" Jeremy laughed.

Once Patrick was able to talk, he said; "I asked my parents if we were Jews, and my father told me that that was a silly question, then Mother scolded me for interrupting them. So I don't really think we are Jews. What do you think?"

"The same."

"Thank goodness!" Patrick breathed joyfully.

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Hope you all enjoyed it!

Cheero D