Protector

When we were younger (I suppose even quite a few times I was older), Jordan wasn't just an "annoying" big brother. He was oftentimes my protector. 
I have memories of him throwing rocks at the heads of boys in the bus line who wouldn't leave me alone. Or him telling other people to stop hanging out with someone who made fun of me at school.
But one particular memory I have was a little bit different. How do you protect someone from something you don't see or understand completely? How do you make someone who's overly anxious feel better?
Jordan knew how. 
I don't recall exactly how old we were, but it was old enough to be left alone. It was evening, and I remember that it was storming. It was extremely dark in the house, and like always, I was nervous because of the storm. 
For some reason, I had the bright idea of asking Jordan what would happen if someone tried to break into the house while we were alone. We were just kids - like we'd know how to deal with that.
I sat up nervously in the living room, staring at the front door, imagining that I saw someone trying the handle over and over again. I kept this anxiety-ridden vigil for some time before I got any reprieve.
At some point, I was joined by Jordan. He was carrying a BB gun. He assured me that if anyone got in, he would drive them away. 
It's maybe laughable now - it's not as if a BB gun would protect us completely. But he looked so determined that I accepted it, and I felt immediately safer knowing he would guard the house.
​-Amanda J Tucker