“My family has been here for over two hundred years,” I said.
Jerzy shrugged. “And my family for at least a thousand. It makes no difference. You're an outsider. Your people will never become a central part of the life of Poland.”
“We're misunderstood.”
“Maybe. But that's only if the other side wants to understand. And we don't. Many see you as a nuisance, some as a threat and many more as simply vermin, something to be eradicated, do you see?”
“You don't have to tell me. I see it every day.”
“We can never be friends, you and I,” Jerzy said quietly, without remorse or regret. He was simply stating a fact.
“I know.”
“We can be friendly, for now, while we're at school, I mean.”
“If you say so.”
Jerzy looked at me intently. “But there may come a time when something will happen. If th
