As Sierra was jotting down supplies to purchase at the warehouse store, the doorbell rang. Jordan sprang into action, press-checking the pistol holstered at his side, then swiftly transitioning to checking the backup pistols tucked away in his shoulder rig and both ankle holsters. With a single look from Jordan, Ruger the attack-trained German Shepherd took his position at Jordan's side and stalked to the front door with him. Sierra positioned herself in the hallway, as she and Jordan had discussed many times, so she was adequately prepared to protect the children if need be. As Jordan's right hand and helpmeet, Sierra knew she was the next line of defense in a concentric circle of layers of perimeters meant to protect the family and their home. Double checking her own pistols, Sierra nodded to Jordan that she was ready for him to answer the door.
One hand on the door knob, his foot braced against the door, and the other hand at the ready by his pistol grip, Jordan peered through the wide angle peephole installed in the heavy, solid oak front door, which had a metal frame reinforced by six inch screws set into the extra thick structure. Jordan's grandpa had reminded him when they built the house that a door was only as secure as its frame, and most houses lacked any real stability in their contractor-special cheap doors and short screws. Through the peephole, Jordan observed
an older man, easily six feet tall, with gray hair cropped high and tight, and lusciously bushy eyebrows. He wore the uniform of a private security company, starched and pressed, with spit-shined boots and a security badge so clean it gleamed, even in the slight shade of the porch. Clearly a man accustomed to being in a uniform and clearly a man's man.
"Stand down, honey," Jordan said. "It's Teddy, retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant, accomplished competitive shooter, widower, and one of the neighborhood's well-vetted armed security personnel."
Sierra returned to the kitchen, filled a kettle with filtered water from the Big Berkey water filtration system on the counter, and put it on the stove to boil. The family knew and loved Teddy, and Sierra knew just how he took the herbal tea his beloved (may she rest in peace) wife Clotilde convinced him to start drinking when his doctor recommended cutting back on his coffee intake a bit.
Jordan unlocked the deadbolts and cipher locks on the front door, verified Teddy was the only individual on the doorstep, and unlocked the bullet-resistant storm door. "Mornin', Jordan. Hey, Ruger boy!" Teddy bellowed. Teddy had a habit of projecting his voice in a commanding way at all times, as though he were still addressing green Marine recruits ripe for training. Ruger gave Teddy a sniff and sat, looking from him to Jordan. Ruger's finely honed instincts determined no new threat from Teddy, and Jordan trusted his judgement completely. No changes in Teddy's thus-far earned trust by the family; Jordan invited him in. As Teddy strode into the kitchen to greet Sierra, Jordan relocked all of the doors.
"How are you, Teddy?" Sierra asked, giving him a sideways hug as they made sure no one's armament hit the other.
"I'm not bad, Miss Sierra, but I hear tell your neighbor's in a bit of a bad way. Head blown to kingdom come and even Jordan couldn't save her? That says something right there," Teddy responded, his voice softening as he chatted with her. Teddy could come across as intimidating to men, but put him around women, children, or puppies and he softened right up. An old school gentleman through and through, as his wife of 40 years had always attested.
Jordan sighed. "I tried my best, Teddy, I really did. How's Bob doing? Are the deputies done over there yet? I was impressed with how quickly Deputy Jones made it out this far. Liberty Heights is a good half hour from town on a low traffic day. It is nice to know that we have diligent public servants when the news is full of the corrupt ones."
"Yes, Deputy Jones was already out in this area. He said he was only about a mile away when dispatch put out the call. He hustled straight over. Poor Bob - he's got a real mess over there. Miss Sierra, he may need some help from you with the children. I don't know if you're aware of this, but Miss Susie recently began homeschooling the children. I told Bob I'd let you know about it, since you all homeschool as well."
Sierra nodded as she handed Teddy his commuter mug of rooibos chai tea, with one lump of sugar and a dash of milk. "I'd be happy to help with the children, Teddy. We have bumped into them now and then at the neighborhood park and I wondered why they were out of school suddenly. I hadn't gotten a chance to tell Susie and Bob about our weekly co-op yet. This week we are studying Farraday cages and starting seeds for the summer garden - if they have any interest in science, it will be a good distraction for them."
"I'll be sure to let him know, thank you. And thank you for the tea refill. How's your granny doing these days? She need anything done around the house?" Teddy asked.
"Granny's doing well, thanks. I was just thinking of her as I made organic, whole grain, chocolate chip muffins this morning using her recipe. We're all meeting at her house for supper on Sunday, if you'd like to join us."
Teddy blushed slightly and nodded. "I'd like that - I'll see what I can do. I'd better get back out on the road - Liberty Heights doesn't patrol itself. Well, I suppose an intentional community like this does, to a point," he laughed. "But I'd better get out there and earn my keep just the same. Just wanted to touch base with you about those children. They'll need good neighbors while their dad gets things sorted out for their mama."
Jordan and Ruger escorted Teddy back to the door, said their goodbyes, and secured both doors again. Sierra began brewing her own tea, a lavender blend grown in her own pollinator-friendly garden in a sunny spot that had good drainage for the Mediterranean plant. Teddy seemed rather pleased by the invitation to Granny's - she wondered a bit about that.
Turning back to her handmade paper notebook, Sierra picked up her pencil again and added:
*D batteries
*Canned chicken soup
*Bulk packs of Sun-Chips (having familiar snacks in food storage is good for morale in an emergency)
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