For You, Hank [antikvár]

PROLOGUEI can still see him jumping for the basket, Terrell's pass high over everyone's head. Hank is there for it, seven, eight, nine feet tall. His muscular black arms reach up as he grabs the ball. His v^rists cock back, ready. Then he explodes into action, his hands, w^rists, and arms driving the ball. He tosses it overhead into the hole. Yes! The Bank! The Beast! The roar of the crowd rises up all around us and Hank turns back upcourt, pumping his fist, his eyes glowing with victory. Now, like he's done many other times, he turns again and begins backpedaling into defensive position near center court.Then he falls.Just like that. His fall was like nothing I have ever seen. It wasn't a trip or a sHde or a topple. It was like gravity took him, sideways and down. It was like he had been thrown out a window. But, for an instant, he seemed to sit up.I was right near him, my mind on two tracks. When I saw