Read Me a Bedtime Story
Saint Nick Squad 9
Jonathan Joy
The Ashland Beacon
Longtime readers of this column are familiar with the North Pole’s secret agent group. They answer the call when Christmas conflict is brewing. If Santa’s sleigh crashes or he gets caught in a chimney or delivers the wrong presents to a house, the Saint Nick Squad is there to save the day. When the Elf-Napper strikes or when Mr. January attempts to obliterate the month of December, Jingle and Snowflake are called up. Last year, when Santa was blasted into another multiverse, these Saint Nick Squad agents helped get the jolly fellow back on track.
This year it’s not Santa in trouble. It’s two of his best spies in need of rescue.
Santa sent Saint Nick Squad agents Jingle and Snowflake out weeks before the big night to complete a variety of tasks. They were to pick up Santa wish lists, investigate to confirm the naughty and nice list, and plan efficient new routes from one neighborhood to the next.
Jingle and Snowflake had excelled in this task for many years…until now. This was the year they met Lydia.
Little Lydia awoke in the middle of one cold December night to find two elves rummaging around.
“Wow! Elves!” Lydia screamed in excitement. Upon being caught, Jingle and Snowflake fell to the ground, limp and lifeless, like the toys in Toy Story when human eyes dare to expose their natural antics.
Lydia played joyously with Jingle and Snowflake. She seemed nice enough and both Jingle and Snowflake assumed they’d be able to slip away and escape soon. This was not the case.
“Time for bed.” Lydia said.
“This is our chance.” Jingle whispered.
Snowflake responded. “When she nods off, we’re out of here.”
This plan did not work. Lydia fell asleep while hugging her two new elves so tightly that neither Jingle nor Snowflake could move.
“Okay, this is fine.” Jingle spoke. “When she gets up for school in the morning, we’ll head back home.”
That plan did not work, either.
“You’re going to school with me today!” Lydia exclaimed upon awakening.
These elves are usually quite stealthy, but they had met their match in Lydia. She prepared for school that day without ever taking an eye off Jingle and Snowflake. She showed them how she ate cereal, brushed her teeth, and packed her bag.
Lydia enjoyed showing off her new toys to friends that day. She bragged about Jingle and Snowflake in the halls to absolutely everyone. “Look at my new toys!”
Lydia ate lunch with Jingle and Snowflake. She took a math test with them. She played on the playground with them. Lydia did not take her eyes off the festive pair all day long.
Jingle and Snowflake found moments to murmur to one another and make plans.
“Maybe when she gets on the swing.” Jingle suggested.
“Perhaps when she’s distracted by her teacher.” Snowflake added.
“Surely she’ll grow tired of us.” Jingle stated.
Nothing worked. Lydia’s obsessed stare never lingered from them long enough.
After school, Lydia, Jingle, and Snowflake watched cartoons, read library books, and enjoyed spaghetti for dinner.
Jingle and Snowflake were beginning to think that their new lives as Lydia’s favorite playthings would never end.
Their chance came when Lydia was distracted by household chores. She didn’t want her elves to get wet while she washed dishes, so she left them in a nearby chair. Finally, her gaze wavered from them just long enough for Jingle and Snowflake to get away and chart a course back to the North Pole.
Jingle and Snowflake were relieved. Santa was, too. He was worried about their whereabouts. “It’s not like the two of you to be late coming back.”
Lydia, however, was quite sad. She looked everywhere for her two favorite toys, but they were hopelessly lost.
“I hate that she’s sad.” Jingle lamented.
“Yeah, but we can’t live with Lydia forever.” Snowflake added.
Santa had an idea. “I know what we’ll do.”
A few weeks later, little Lydia awoke on Christmas day to find many goodies under the tree. She got a new book, clothes, a game, and…
“Elves! Their back!” Lydia was thrilled to find two brand new elf dolls waiting for her under the tree. She was the happiest she had been in quite some time and those dolls did not leave her side that Christmas day and for many other days to come.
Merry Christmas, readers.
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