Patrick’s Decline and Last Reach

And Their Children After Them

This flow traces Patrick Casati’s attempts at recovery and connection before alcoholism, violence, and isolation culminate in his fatal swim.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Work and Drinking Work and Drinking from "And Their Children After Them". A Narrowing Life Industrial disruption After losing his job and license, Patrick struggles to support his household through irregular work.

Work and Drinking from "And Their Children After Them". A Narrowing Life Industrial disruption After losing his job and license, Patrick struggles to support his household through irregular work.

A Narrowing Life Industrial disruption After losing his job and license, Patrick struggles to support his household through irregular work. Alcohol becomes a dependable refuge from humiliation and uncertainty. Damage at home His drinking contributes to arguments and fear within the family. Anthony experiences both the attraction of his father’s strength and the danger of his anger.

The Savings Jar The Savings Jar from "And Their Children After Them". A Brief Recovery A deliberate abstinence Patrick stops drinking for a period and saves the money he would have spent at the bar.

The Savings Jar from "And Their Children After Them". A Brief Recovery A deliberate abstinence Patrick stops drinking for a period and saves the money he would have spent at the bar.

A Brief Recovery A deliberate abstinence Patrick stops drinking for a period and saves the money he would have spent at the bar. The accumulated coins offer tangible evidence that he can still direct part of his life. A gesture toward Hélène He intends to use the savings for a holiday for his former wife. His effort expresses regret and tenderness, but it cannot reverse the damage that has already reshaped the family.

The Assault at L’Usine The Assault at L’Usine from "And Their Children After Them". Violence Reopens the Past A collision in the restroom At the wake for Luc Grandemange, Patrick finds Hacine confronting Anthony in the bar restroom.

The Assault at L’Usine from "And Their Children After Them". Violence Reopens the Past A collision in the restroom At the wake for Luc Grandemange, Patrick finds Hacine confronting Anthony in the bar restroom.

Violence Reopens the Past A collision in the restroom At the wake for Luc Grandemange, Patrick finds Hacine confronting Anthony in the bar restroom. He recognizes Hacine as connected to the old motorcycle grievance and attacks him. Legal consequences The assault destroys Hacine’s teeth and leads to a trial and heavy financial penalties for Patrick. The blow turns a private history of resentment into lasting social and economic damage.

A Life Reduced A Life Reduced from "And Their Children After Them". Survival Without Repair Diminished circumstances Patrick lives in a small studio, carries debt, and works limited hours.

A Life Reduced from "And Their Children After Them". Survival Without Repair Diminished circumstances Patrick lives in a small studio, carries debt, and works limited hours.

Survival Without Repair Diminished circumstances Patrick lives in a small studio, carries debt, and works limited hours. Drinking again, he has few dependable relationships and little expectation of improvement. An awkward approach He tries to see Anthony before the army departure and prepares a hunting knife as a gift. His desire to reach his son is genuine, but alcohol and pride make the gesture difficult to receive.

The Final Swim The Final Swim from "And Their Children After Them". A Last Crossing Searching through the celebration Drunk and carrying his knife, Patrick moves through the crowded Bastille Day gathering looking for Anthony.

The Final Swim from "And Their Children After Them". A Last Crossing Searching through the celebration Drunk and carrying his knife, Patrick moves through the crowded Bastille Day gathering looking for Anthony.

A Last Crossing Searching through the celebration Drunk and carrying his knife, Patrick moves through the crowded Bastille Day gathering looking for Anthony. He sees his son dancing with Stéphanie but does not manage to reconnect with him. Into the lake Patrick wanders to the water, strips, and swims away into the darkness. Hacine watches from the shore, unable to stop him; Patrick’s disappearance becomes another unresolved loss attached to the lake.

Before and during the early 1990s

After Patrick’s separation, around 1994

After Hacine’s return, before July 1996

1996–1998

Night of July 14, 1996