Saturday 14 July 2007

The block that wasn't...

Three seconds to the final whistle, they were down by nine baskets and the opposing guys were preparing to add insult to injury by slam dunking! Perhaps it was only a two-on-two game, but he could not allow that to happen! It was bad enough that they were going to pay for the beers at the bar, but to also have to live through the taunts of a double-score defeat was simply not on.
His eyes on the ball, he summoned all his energy and run behind the attacking centre, poised to make the block. Almost in slow motion, they both lifted up in the air, the ball landed into the basket, and Epi on the guy's calf.
First to speak was Snap. He spoke loud, with his electric voice rushing through Epi's right leg! Upon hitting the ground, Crackle decided to have a word as well. His message was clear and made it's way to Epi's brain in a flash!
He collapsed on the floor in agony. His best friend V. rushed over to see what happened.
"Oh! It's nothing! I think I twisted my ankle! Nothing that a little cold water can not make good." Epi responded.
Couple of minutes later, they are driving back to the house, discussing what went wrong with the game and, perhaps most importantly, which watering hole to visit for the evening. No problem with the legs. No pain on either of them as Epi was pressing on the gas, or the clutch while shifting gears.
They got to the house within ten minutes. V. got out first while Epi was preparing to place the sun screen on the dashboard. He tried to get out of the car, but on touching the flood with either foot, he felt the electricity flow through his body. Those bastards, Snap and Crackle were still around. Good job Pop missed the party!
He was taken for X-rays, where it was confirmed that he had broken a bone in his left foot and one in his right leg. 100% success! As the radiologist jokingly exclaimed, almost falling of his crutches - he had met with Snap only the previous day on the football field.
Another half an hours drive to the nearest hospital, and Epi was flat on his stomach, with both legs up in the air, and plaster applied to them.
It definitely was not the kind of "plastering" they had in mind when they were making plans for the evening with his mate V!
All that was nothing compared to the phone calls the twenty seven year old guys would have to make to their folks, telling them what had happened. They would go ape with worry, and all kinds of questions would have to be answered.
Phone calls made, the complicated trip to the bathroom handled with success, they sat on the front balcony of V's summer house, staring at the sea, drinking and having a good laugh about life!
At least it meant that Epi was going to be two weeks late going back to work in Nigeria!

13 comments:

Blur Ting said...

Oh dear! Did I read correctly that you broke your legs? Take care Epi.

The Real Mother Hen said...

What game was that? So when you were 27, you were working in Nigeria?

Epimenides said...

Ting - Yes broke both legs playing a friendly game of basketball, but some 13 years ago. Spent a good 4 weeks in bed instead of the Greek islands. :(

mother hen - Oh yes! Went to Nigeria at 25, to Ghana at 30 and returned to Greece at 35! Now, I'm considering the option of going expatriating again. (Remember your invitation?) ;)

Blur Ting said...

Phew! Thank God it happened years ago! I was beginning to imagine you limping on your crutches to the restaurant for your Sunday brunch!

Anonymous said...

Lord! I thought this was a recent weekend event EPI...do take care of urself!!!

Unknown said...

Where do you plan to go?

Epimenides said...

ting, jyankee - Yes! It was years ago. Ended up spending three weeks in bed. Don't want such an experience ever again!

I honestly don't know random! I'm open to all options though. Any suggestions (appart from the UK)?

The Real Mother Hen said...

Go S'pore, they pay well :)
Or join Random in Dubai :)

Rebecca said...

Man!when you do something, you go ALL out! Geez! if you are looking to expatriate, why not Brazil to be with your girl?

Loz said...

my worst basketball injury was a ruptured disc in my back. Did you ever play again?

Rebecca said...

OUCH! Loz, did you ever play again?

Epimenides said...

rp - yes! I do go ALL out! It's putting my mind to something that takes time.
btw, I've thought of Brazil but don't know where to start from!

loz- Yes and some Jordan guy took all the laurels! ;) But seriously, I still play the odd friendly game.

Rebecca said...

Epi, ask her where to start...