I feel so embarrassed, how could Tag have known I was here? Things had gotten totally out of hand once I had realized that I was being played the fool and our three workers had more in mind than simply cooling off and enjoying the freedom of a week's sweat to be washed away by innocent fun.
God damned, I must have come across as the biggest idiot in the world to them. The "Boss Man", yeah right, the effin jerk with the paychecks to dole out. What kind of jackass do people see me as? Am I really this freaking stupid or was I simply putting my hidden frustration into a place that only I believed was unrecognizable? My god, does everyone see me as some soft touch and easy prey or was this simply some sort of touchy-feely guy thing gone very wrong, well at least for me?
Tag holds me tightly, not for one moment allowing my shivering body to shake his steady control. My jaw lifts off his shoulder, the stubble of a days beard growth bristles against my cheek as I lift my eyes to meet his.
He holds me as tight as a blanket around a newborn, yet his gaze is not into my upturned face but stares off into the distant horizon as the late days sun burns away into the waters edge. His face is calm yet devoid of expression.
The fingers running through my damp hair quickens their pace until they are suddenly removed. Our embrace is interrupted by the hoots and whispers that drift on the evening breeze and brings both of us back to reality.
"Hey, you three, we have some business to settle up with, here and now!"
The authority booming from Tag takes not only me but our three emplyee by the scruff of our necks, he has all of our full attention now.
"This is not OK, got me? You crossed a line here that I will not condone or tolerate. We will drive you to where ever you are staying but come Monday morning, we expect each of you at the our office a full hour before you are scheduled to clock in. There are several things we need to straighten out and boundaries that are to be strictly adhered to, that is if we are to even consider your continued employment. Now, get your fucking asses into the back of the truck you arrived in. If you have a problem with us and our decision, then fuck off, walk away right now and never come back."
All three of the workers took off toward the old silver pickup as if their lives depended on it, and by the tone of Tags command, their present livelihood does indeed depend on their subordinate display and acknowledgement of his authority.
"It's OKAY, I saw more than enough to recognize that you were in over your head. I wish it had not come to this but you could not see that their interests in just having fun was not the end game for them."
Jeezzus Christ! I'm not only the biggest rube going, now Tag is taking pity on me for being profoundly ignorant to what goes on in the real world.
My head becomes heavy, hangs low as I stare at my feet, trying to convince myself that I am not some worthless jerk off. All manner of confusion clutters my mind, wait, did he say "We?" Not like once but like half dozen times? Hold on Robbie, you've misinterpreted tons of things before, why should this be any different?
"C'mon Kemosabe, here's the keys to my Suburban, you go on back and get yourself cleaned up and if you would be kind enough to hand over the keys to ole Silver, I'll take this band of honchos to what ever flop house they're staying at. C'mon be a sport and just do as I ask, okay?"
Reaching into my right pocket, fumbling with my keys, chapstick and some loose change until my fingers retrieve the fob and few keys that dangle from its attached chrome ring.
Holds the keys in my upturned palm, I still have not built the nerve to look Tag in the eyes since I saw his distant stare across the calm water of the lake. It takes a moment as my keys are snatched from my outstretched hand only to be replaced by the keys to Tags SUV.
"It's a done deal then? See you back at the trailer, I'll stop and get something for us to eat and a little something to drink afterwards. God knows after this weeks bullshit a little alcohol would do us both some good.!"