Contents

Dedication

I.
RISING AND ALOFT

Air France 017

Paris in Recollection

The Insurance Salesman Armand Marteau

François Ehrenshtamm, Philosophe

This Jack Person

Writing a Jingle in Saint-Germain-en-Laye

Jacqueline at Sparta

The Past Upwells

The Policeman Is Your Friend

A Million Swimming Pools

Amina Belkacem

A Thousand Lawyers

Lights Corruscating Through the Dusk

Touching Down

II.
BLOOD WILL TELL

DNA

Cathérine and David, François

Jacqueline’s Photograph

1944

The Music Lesson

III.
Loyal à Mort

The Sun Comes Out for Armand Marteau

Spring Fire and Smoke

As Light and Warmth Put France at Ease

If, at Its End, Your Life Takes on the Attributes of Art

The Patient, Barely Alive, Had Collapsed on the RER

Élodi, Jules, Duvalier, Arnaud, and Nerval

Élodi Alone

August

Amina

On the Grand Terrace at Saint-Germain-en-Laye

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