Quarterback Keeper 35
The Wedding was very nice. The bride and groom were clearly in love and the families were very happy and supportive. Ian was glad to see his family, but Joe noticed that increasingly Ian referred to Salt Fork as home.
As the Sinclair corporate jet took off from Edinburgh airport, the passengers were settling in for a long flight. Ian and Michael had commandeered the bench seat at the back of the jet, and as soon as the seatbelt light went off, they curled up together under a blanket. Joe smiled, the boys hadn't wasted much of the last night in Scotland sleeping.
Mary and Claudia were quietly chatting while doing needlepoint, Mindy was reading, and the rest, except for Joe, were asleep or nearly asleep. Joe, on the other hand, was reviewing notes Kent Walters had sent him about the optional pitcher/catcher camp he had hosted over Spring Break.
Joe had offered Kent a paid coaching position, but Kent decided he needed to decline. Kent was going to be too busy starting his new company to commit the kind of time he knew Joe would expect. Instead, Kent would be officially listed as a community volunteer; however, everyone knew in reality he was Joe's pitching coach. Tyler was the assistant varsity coach, and JV coach, and during practice, Tyler would work with the batters. Tyler was a natural power hitter, but like many athletes for whom something came easily, he hadn't spent much time breaking down the art of hitting into the science of hitting.
Since 2Coop had moved in at semester, Joe had been working with him to improve his swing, and Tyler was learning how to coach batting. Joe had hung nets and lights in the hayloft of Claudia's barn to make a batting cage and a couple times a week, the three would take batting practice. Sometimes, Ian would join them, and he was absolutely comical at times when swinging the bat, but he was improving. In fact, coaching someone like Ian, who had never swung a baseball bat, was giving Tyler insight into the mechanics of swinging a bat.
A couple of hours into the flight, Tyler woke and noticed Joe working, and said, "Hey babe, what has you so focused?"
"Baseball gets serious when we get back, and we only have eight days until our first game. I just feel like I'm not ready to start the season."
"Bullshit," Tyler said, "you're one of the top high school coaches in the state, and could be coaching at the college level if you wanted. Do you want to know what I think."
"Of course, I always want to know what you think."
"You're worried that you can't put the team, the school, and the entire town of Salt Fork on your shoulders and carry them to a state championship. Well, guess what Coach, you can't. Even the Great Joe Bartlett can't guarantee the season that every player and fan hopes for and dreams about. In the same way that home runs, double plays, and perfect pitches are part of the game, so is striking out, fielding errors, and getting chased from the mound. More than any other game, baseball at times seems to come down to fate, and no one can out-coach fate. In the end, winning is great and losing hurts, but what really matters is we love the game, give it our best, and support our team."
"Damn kid, how did you get so wise?"
"I have been learning from the master. Everything I have just said, you have told me and shown me about teaching, coaching, and living this year."
Joe leaned over and gave Tyler a kiss, then asked, "Do you have your lesson plans and everything ready for class on Monday?"
"Yes, why?"
"Because I am going to need a little Tulsa Time with my smart, sexy assistant coach before we head back to Salt Fork."
Tyler smiled and eagerly nodded.
Game On
Tyler's fingers were reaching the tension hidden deep in Joe's muscular body. Joe quietly softly purred like a contented cat. Slowly Joe rolled onto his back and Tyler began to work his man's pecs. Tyler loved to run his fingers through Joe's chest hair. Tyler was straddling Joe and a drop of precum dripped onto Joe's abs. Joe collected it on his finger and touched Tyler's lips. He smiled and leaned down to kiss Joe and the two were soon exploring each other's mouth.
Joe took a deep breath. Damn, Tyler smelled so sexy. A little wicked thought crossed Joe's mind and he reached up and tweaked Tyler's nipples, and the boy moaned as his arms weakened. Joe smiled; Tyler's nipples had always been sensitive, but recently they seemed to share the same wiring as his cock and balls. Joe gave them one more pinch and Tyler was in desperate need of Joe's cock deep in his ass.
Tyler slid back until the tip of Joe's cock was just touching his sweet pucker. "Oh fuck," Tyler said, "you are huge tonight."
Joe laughed and said, "Tonight is not a time for crazy heroics." He then pushed Tyler onto the bed and began to work the sexy hole with his lips and tongue. Finally Joe began to spread lube on Tyler and work it deep into his chute. Joe spent time massaging Tyler's prostate and knew he could easily make the boy shoot buckets of cum with a little more stimulation, but Joe needed to bury his cock deep in his husband.
Joe would not, could not wait any longer and he slid deep into Tyler. For the next twenty minutes, Joe rode Tyler with a restrained and easy gate, but eventually Joe picked up the pace until he was riding his stud at full gallop. Joe and Tyler were both soaked in sweat. Joe was surprised that Tyler was able to hold off cumming for so long. It was almost like they were competing to see who could outlast the other. However, Tyler was no match for Joe in a fuck challenge. A devious smile crossed Joe's lips, and he grabbed Tyler's nipples and gave them a hard twist.
"Ooooh Fuuuccccck" Tyler yelled as he was lost in an intense and sustained orgasm like he had rarely, if ever, experienced. Just as Tyler reached the crescendo, Joe released load after load deep inside Tyler. Joe's throbbing cock pulsed sending bolts of sexual lightning coursing through Tyler's body.
The climax was so intense that neither lovers could say anything, but where words failed, other forms of communication could speak. Joe collapsed onto the bed and pulled Tyler into a passionate, caring, and loving embrace. The two simply held each other and allowed their bodies to say all that they needed to say.
The next morning, Joe was awakened by his phone. He managed to untangle himself from Tyler and grab the phone from the nightstand. He also noticed that the time was nine o'clock. "Hello Mindy," Joe said, trying to sound like he hadn't just woken up.
Mindy laughed, and said, "No need to fake it. We are just getting up."
"Yeah," Joe said, "Jet lag seems to have gotten the better of us."
"That's the same excuse Ian and Michael just gave me when I knocked on their door."
Joe laughed, "So you're wondering when we will be over to collect your guests and head back to Salt Fork."
"No need to rush. I just want to make reservations at the club for brunch. We can meet you there and after we eat you will be able to get out of town easily."
"That sounds great. How about we meet you at 10:30."
"I'll make a reservation for 10:30. If you get there first, the reservations will be in Charles' name."
After Joe hung up, he went to take a shower. When he returned to the bedroom drying his hair, Tyler said, "You didn't wake me up. We always shower together when we are in Tulsa. Did I do something wrong?"
"No babe, not at all. I just finished talking with Mindy about brunch plans, and you were sleeping so well, I decided to let you sleep a little longer."
"Okay," Tyler said as he faked a pout, "I just keep wondering when you're going to realize you made a mistake and could have done a lot better than me."
Joe jumped on the bed and pinned Tyler down, "Listen up buster, if anyone could have found someone better, it is you. However, now that I have you, I am not letting you go, so you will just have to live with it." Joe then started tickling Tyler.
"Stop, stop," Tyler said as he giggled and squirmed trying to get away. Finally, Joe gave Tyler a kiss, then said, "Babe, I'm going to apologize in advance for the next few months. During baseball season I can be a grumpy old bear. If--no, when--I say something snippy or insensitive please understand I don't mean it. Remember I love you more than anything or anybody in the world. Finally, if I lose track of my priorities, promise me that you will just point to the bedroom and say, `Joseph Bartlett, you need your attitude and your ass adjusted'."
Tyler smiled, "What if I need my attitude and ass adjusted?"
"To be sure, I will definitely take care of that. In fact, I plan on plenty of preventative maintenance."
Brunch at the county club was very good as always. Mindy had invited David and Carrie to join them. Toward the end of the meal, Charles, David, and Joe walked to the back of the bar for a private business conversation.
"Kent hasn't been on the job more than a week and he's already saved our ass. In fact, he saved the country's ass," David said. "Kent brought in Jason McPherson and another guy he's been talking to about joining his security company. They worked all night, so when the hackers threw the switch to shut off the gas, nothing happened. Kent had also alerted the other pipeline companies and the feds. All but one of the companies were able to scrub the virus, and that company was able to switch to manual operations in time to prevent a shutdown."
"Well, I would say that Kent has earned every cent of his contract and then some," Charles said.
"Any word about who was behind the hack?" Joe asked.
"None that I am aware of, except within 24 hours of the attempted shutdown CNN reported a drone attack on several businesses with connections to Iran's Revolutionary Guard, including a computer software company. However, they didn't report who was behind the drone strike."
"It sounds like a bit of tit for tat," Charles said. "Are we going to get caught in the middle of this?"
"I don't think so;" David said, "however, Mindy and her people should meet with Kent. We need to review all our security for the company and the family."
"Well, one of the nice things about living in a small town like Salt Fork," Joe said, "strangers are easy to spot."
Just then Tyler came looking for Joe, "Hey Joe, we need to get going. There is a chance of freezing drizzle later tonight and we have a couple of hours of driving ahead of us."
Joe, Tyler, Ian, Mary, and Claudia climbed into the truck and they were soon on the road to Salt Fork. Most of the drive was easy, but ten miles outside of Salt Fork they ran into the sleet. Joe slowed to a crawl as the ice began to coat the road and the windshield. Several times Joe had to pull over to the side of the road to clear the windshield wipers of ice. The last ten miles took twenty minutes to drive. Joe was never so glad to see the welcome to Salt Fork sign listing all the high school's State Championships, including baseball, as he was that night.
When they pulled into the drive, the lights were on in the house. 2Coop had spent Spring Break in Tulsa with his family, and Cooper had brought him back the day before. Cooper was spending several days in Salt Fork checking on the new the progress on his families new house and meeting with Enid City officials, the architects, and various contractors about the office building and labs.
2Coop had lit the fireplace and it was a cheery welcome on a foul night. Kevin was also there and of course Sunshine was glad to see the family all home. Cooper had hot chocolate ready for the weary travelers, and as they were drinking it, the lights flickered but didn't go out. Joe said, "Mary, Claudia, and Kevin, I think you'd better spend the night here. These are the kind of storms that play havoc on electric lines. This house has a backup generator so if something happens......"
Just then a loud bang was heard down the street and the lights went out; however, a minute later they heard the generator kick on and the lights came back on. Ian and Kevin were looking out the window and Kevin said, "Damn, it looks like half the town is out of power."
Joe and Tyler stepped onto the front porch and could hear sirens and off in the distance a utility pole looked like a torch. "I'm guessing when the lines crossed, it shorted out a transformer," Cooper said. "Hopefully OG&E isn't overwhelmed and can get a crew out tonight."
Around 4 a.m., the power was restored to all of Salt Fork. A few minutes later, an email arrived from Principal Mayfield saying that the start of school would be pushed back to 10 a.m. to accommodate families who'd been out of power most of the night and to give school maintenance staff time to inspect critical systems. The email also said that information about sports practices would follow.
"So skipper," a sleepy Tyler said to Joe, "Is there baseball practice today?"
"Hell yes there is. Our first game is only eight days away."
Joe was out of bed at his usual time, 5-o'dark-30. Tyler heard "Morning Edition" coming from the speakers in the bathroom, and knew that Joe was in the shower. One of the things Tyler learned to appreciate since meeting Joe was NPR in the morning. Tyler got out of bed, and joined Joe in the shower. When Tyler stepped into the shower, Joe said, "Hey, you know you could catch an extra couple of hours of sleep.''
Tyler kissed the nape of Joe's neck and said, "You know the deal. We start the day together, and we finish the day together."
"I just couldn't sleep anymore," Joe said. "The first day of baseball season has always made me twitchy. You would think after all of the years I have played or coached I wouldn't let it get to me."
"I get it. I am sure that next Fall I will be a total basket case. Even now, the only thing that keeps me from freaking out everyday about being the head football coach is knowing you will be there beside me."
Joe turned around and gave Tyler a kiss. When he did, their cocks touched and Tyler let out a deep sigh. "Easy there stud," Joe said. "You are going to have to wait until this evening."
"Oh fuck coach," Tyler moaned.
Joe laughed, "Just consider yourself lucky. When I was in high school coaches still believed that myth that having sex during the season would somehow impair our performance. Hell one coach even declared masturbation off limits during the season. For the life of me, I can figure out why anyone thought a 24/7 boner would improve your game."
"Did you really go the entire season without cumming."
"Hell no! All abstinence does is screw with your sleep, and if there is anything that will mess with your game, it is not getting a good night's sleep."
When Joe and Tyler were dressed, they went to make some breakfast, but found that Mary and Claudia had that covered. Mary said, "It's been a while since I have had a chance to make Stinkpot breakfast."
"Come on mom, I thought we had agree that Stinkpot was packed away with my toys and Junior Football trophies."
"Sorry son. You probably don't want this either," Mary said, putting a plate in front of Tyler.
Tyler smiled. In the middle of the plate, and surrounded by eggs and bacon was a Mickey Mouse pancake.
"Thanks mom," Tyler said.
Even though there was only a half day of classes, Joe felt the day seemed to drag. Finally it was 3:30 and the final bell rang. Joe had announced that baseball players should be dressed out and in the gym's bleachers by 3:45. As players took a seat, they noticed that Joe was looking at his wristwatch, and at exactly 3:45 he said, "Gentlemen, the baseball season just started. Fifty-six days from now the State Championship game is played. I plan on watching it from the dugout--not the stands. Who is going to join me?"
The team jumped to its feet and yelled, "We will!"
When the team settled down, Joe introduced the coaching staff, "Coach Simmons will coach the JV team and during practice work on batting, and Coach Burris will be working with the outfielders. Last week some of you had the chance to meet Coach Walter's, he will be working with pitchers and catchers. During practice, I will focus on infielders and situational play."
"I know that ever since it was announced that I would be the coach this year, there has been an expectation that Salt Fork will return to the State Tournament. However, the truth is: I can't get you there. The assistant coaches can't get you there. No individual player can get you there. The only way you will get there is as a member of a team."
"One of the things that makes baseball more than just a game is that it has been played and coached by some of the greatest philosophers America has ever produced. One of the wise men of the game was Tommy Lasorda who managed the Dodgers for two decades. He once said, `There are three types of baseball players: Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happens."
"Zach Hill!" Joe called.
"Yes Coach!" Zach replied.
"What kind of player are you?"
"I make it happen, Coach!"
"Anthony Ramirez!"
"Yes Coach!"
"What kind of player are you?"
"I make it happen, Coach!"
"Rattlesnake baseball players!"
"Yes Coach!" the team responded.
"What kind of team are you?"
"We make it happen, Coach!"
"Seniors!"
"Yes, Coach!"
"Get practice started!"
The Seniors jumped onto the court and formed up in ranks and files. Then the Juniors did the same facing the Senior with the JV players behind them. Zach instructed the team to follow him, and he led the team through the warmup drills.
As Zach led the team, the coaches watched the team looking for other team leaders. Joe strongly believed one of his most important objectives was to find and encourage formal and informal player/leaders. Both Tyler and Mike Burris were already buying into the Bartlett System of Coaching.
After warmups, Joe called the team together and said, "I appreciate the crispness and precision I saw during those warm ups. Warm ups are important to minimize injuries, but they also set the tone for practice. Watch teams warm up before a game. If there is a zip on the ball and leather pops, you know they have come to play."
"The weather is supposed to be in the 70's tomorrow, so we will be on the field. I am dismissing the Freshmen and Sophomores who aren't pitchers or catchers. I'll see you tomorrow, and come ready to make it happen. Juniors and Seniors, headed out to the bus barn for pitching and batting practice."
Tyler and Mike worked with the hitter, while Kent worked with the pitchers. Joe spent the practice evaluating players. Zach was definitely the Rattlesnakes pitching ace. Kenny Claflin was a pleasant surprise. Joe said to Kent, "Wow, Claflin has really come along."
"Yeah, the boy is a natural. He should make a good starter for the backend of a doubleheader. We may even want to develop him as a closer."
"I can see your work with him is paying off. I never asked, how did you and his father get along last Summer."
Kent smiled, and said, "After his run in with you last Spring he basically left coaching the pitchers to me. Plus, my boys, Mike and Jack, became good friends with Kenny. So our families ended up doing things together. When he isn't trying to relive his youth through his son, Kenny Sr. is a good guy. Plus, Kenny's mother is a fantastic baseball mom. She's at every game, organizes snacks and meals for the team, and in a pinch can keep the scorebook."
"So, how is Mike doing?"
"We sat down and had a talk the other night. He really wishes he was already in high school. He is done with middle school and just wants to move on."
"I also told him that I would help with Summer ball, but this was my only year coaching high school. When he asked why, I said three reasons. First, the new company is going to take a lot of my time. Second, I think he will be good enough to challenge for varsity by the end of his Freshman season, so I didn't want there to be any appearance that he hadn't earned a position on his own skills rather than because his father was a coach. But third, and most importantly, I want to watch him play. When he gets a hit or makes a play, I want to tell everyone in that stands: that's my boy."
"How did he respond," Joe asked.
"He gave me a hug."
"Way to go dad," Joe said.
After practice, Joe called the coaches together and asked what they saw. Kent said, "We have two solid starters, but the bullpen is a work in progress. As far as catchers go; we need to work on blocking wild pitches and framing."
"How about batting?" Joe asked.
"My guess is that the previous regime placed an emphasis on slugging rather than contact hitting." Tyler said. "Yeah," Mike added, "some of them almost came out of their shoes they swung so hard."
Joe laughed, "I watched these guys last year, and a bit over the Summer. That seems to be their philosophy of hitting, but I'm also guessing they were trying to show off for the new football coach. However, I will give them the `you play like you practice' speech tomorrow, and remind them that the only person they have to impress is me."
"I remember that speech from my days of playing," Kent said. "The funny part was one player, Terry Moore, didn't get the message, so the next game coach gave Terry the bunt sign every time he was up to bat. Terry hated to bunt, and the opposing team had some scary hard, but wild throwers. On the bus ride home, Terry confronted Coach, and Coach said, "Listen up chicken shit. First, all you need for practice tomorrow are your running shoes. You don't ever question me in front of the team. Second, until you get on board with my batting philosophy, you will be bunting every at bat, every game."
"Damn Coach!" Mike said.
"Well I was young and stupid." Joe said. "Also, I didn't know Terry's mother was President of the BOE."
Tyler and Mike burst into laughter.
"But here's the best part of the story." Kent said. "Terry did run all practice, and when practice was over, Coach sent everyone to the showers except for Terry. Then Coach threw batting practice to Terry for a half-hour, and all the time Terry's mother just sat in the bleachers and watched. The next game, Terry hit two singles, and a two run triple to win the game."
"Did Terry's mom ever say anything," Mike asked.
"Not until Terry's graduation day, two years later," Joe said. "He had gotten a baseball scholarship to play at Central State. After the ceremony, Mrs. Moore said, "Coach, when you made Terry run for an entire practice his sophomore year, I thought you were a total asshole and was ready to get you fired. However, then you worked with him on your own time, and his season turned around. I still remember how proud he was after the next game when he hit a triple to win the game. I think it was the best day of his entire high school career."
"Dam Coach!" Mike said again. "Most coaches I played for would have just kicked Terry off the team and washed their hands."
"I played for guys like that," Joe said, "but when I started coaching, I decided I would never cut a kid or write off a kid. I guess that's one of the reasons I teach and coach in a small school, there aren't enough kids that any of them are expendable."
Tyler said, "Coach, even if you taught in the largest school in the state, you would still have the same philosophy."
When Joe and Tyler got home they were greeted by Sunshine and the smell of pasta sauce and garlic bread. Ian didn't have golf practice, so he decided to make supper.
"Something smells delicious," Joe said.
Ian smiled and began dishing up spaghetti and sauce.
When Tyler took a bite, he said, "Damn Ian, you're going to make someone a dandy wife."
"Sure will," Ian said with a smile, "I am more than a pretty face and tight ass....unlike someone I know."
"Watch it boy or I might have to just open up a big old can of whoop ass on you," Tyler said
"Just be careful you don't break a nail, sweet cheeks," Ian replied.
"Ok girls," Joe said, "enough cat fighting. Let's eat. I have some work to do before I can call it a day."
"What do you have to do?" Tyler asked.
"Cooper has some documents for me to review and sign off on. I sure will be glad when the new offices are built and staffed."
When Ian excused himself from the table to get started on homework, Tyler asked, "Where's Cooper and 2Coop."
"The Walters invited them for dinner," Joe said, "They should be back around eight."
"He seems to be fitting in and finding friends," Tyler said.
"Yeah, this move should be good for him and his sisters and brother."
"Brother?"
"Yep, 2Coop doesn't know it yet, but he is going to have a little brother soon." Joe said. "It seems Cooper will have an Oops of his own. Charles has already started calling the pregnancy 2Oops. So be careful what you say around 2Coop, I think there is some big reveal event in the works."
Joe spent half-an-hour going over and signing contracts. Fortunately Cooper and the Sinclair legal eagles had already done their job, and for the most part Joe could read their notes and then sign the contracts. Joe had to smile; he knew that Cooper really wanted to impress his father and uncles and was extra sure all the T's were crossed and I's were dotted. Joe's signature was just a formality and a show for the banks, regulators, and stockholders.
After dealing with Sinclair paperwork, Joe got down to what was really on his mind, baseball. Joe needed to plan the practice schedule and work on player assessment. After an hour of doing the work of coaching that players, parents, and fans never see, Joe needed to take a break. He grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the liquor cabinet and a couple of glasses.
As he left the office, he heard Cooper and 2Coop in the media room cheering for their NBA teams. Cooper was a Bulls fan and 2Coop was a Thunder fan. While 2Coop was a dedicated baseball player, there weren't any sports he didn't know at least something about, and most he had a team to follow. Joe smiled as he thought, if Sinclair ever branches out into broadcasting, he knew who to put in charge of a sports network. Joe decided to just file that thought away, since 2Coop had a ways to go before he would be ready for that, even if he were interested. But...if a couple of broadcast stations came up for sale, there would be no harm in making an offer.
Joe made a quick check of Ian. Putting Ian's room on the other side of the house gave the boy privacy, particularly when Michael was visiting, but Joe always felt the need to say goodnight and see if Ian was doing okay. After a few minutes of conversation, Ian pointed to the bottle and glasses and said, "It looks like you have a plan in mind. You should go. There is no reason every lad in this house is stuck beating the bishop."
Joe laughed, and said goodnight.
When he walked into the bedroom, Joe heard music coming from the ensuite. He found Tyler was soaking in the tub with his eyes closed. Joe walked over and gave Tyler a kiss; Tyler opened his eyes and smiled. Then Joe poured Tyler and himself each a glass of Kentucky's best and put the bottle on the vanity. Joe took a drink and stepped into the tub, slid between Tyler's legs, and leaned back onto a well muscled chest.
Tyler put his drink on the ledge, and wrapped his arms around Joe. "Damn babe," Tyler said, "you are such a gym stud. I love your furry pecs, and playing with these..." Tyler pinched Joe's nipples,..." Makes my cock hard."
Joe pushed his ass into Tyler's crotch and asked, "Are you ready to fuck me to sleep?"
Tyler moaned and gently bit down on Joe's right trapezius, and Joe noticed the boy's cock swelling. "Let's go kid," Joe said, "I need it deep, hard, and quick." Joe got out of the bath, dried off, and headed for the bed. Tyler soon followed. Joe had already flipped the covers back, crawled into the middle of the bed, and spread his legs.
The sight of his sexy husband offering his muscular ass and tight hole, caused Tyler to lose his mind. He buried his face in Joe's ass and began to work his tongue into the sensitive pink pucker. Joe moaned, pushed his head back into the bed, and grunted, "That's so fucking good." Tyler responded by shoving his tongue even deeper.
As good as Tyler's tongue was, it wasn't long before Joe was ready for more, and he reached down to pull Tyler up until the two were eye to eye. Joe locked onto Tyler and said, "Fuck me now!" Quickly Tyler lubed up his cock and Joe's ass, then grabbed Joe's ankles, pushed them back, and shoved his cock balls deep into Joe's ass.
"YEEEESSSS!" Joe screamed and threw his arms back to grab the headboard and brace himself for Tyler's thrusts. Soon Tyler was railing Joe's ass. Both men were sweating and their moans seemed harmonize in a duet of ecstasy.
"Ooooh fuuuucccck, I'mmm cummmming," Joe yelled as rope after rope painted his chest with stripes of cum like a Jackson Pollock painting. Instantly, Tyler responded and dumped a warm load deep inside of Joe.
As Tyler's mind recovered from the intensity of sexual release, the cocktail of hormones released by an world-rocking orgasm was working it's magic on Joe. All the tension and stress were gone, and a flood of serotonin and prolactin were pushing Joe into a blissful sleep.
Tyler slowly slid out of Joe. He rolled Joe over on his side, pulled the cover over him and then cuddled into him. For a moment, Tyler listened to Joe breath before drifting to sleep himself.
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