Nick and Sadie live ordinary lives, but there is something special about them. After all, Nick does resemble Santa Claus. Their dilemma is to remain true to themselves and still protect their secret. Everything is going well until the actions of three people threaten to expose their secret. "Nick & Sadie" is a heartwarming Christmas story about respect, integrity and love.
Nick and Sadie seem to live rather ordinary lives ... but yet, there is something special about them. After all, he does look like Santa Claus; she is a loving and caring person admired by everyone; and children are naturally drawn to them. They bring out the best in everyone they meet.
Three years ago they moved to North Carolina so they could live near children and their families. Their new life is everything they expected. Nick is a substitute teacher at the neighborhood elementary school, and Sadie creates wonderful candy recipes for a candy manufacturer.
Their dilemma is to remain true to themselves without anyone discovering their secret. Everything appears to be going well until Sadie receives an offer from her employer, Nick is nominated for a teaching award, and one of Nick’s students insists that he is someone else.
Nick & Sadie is a heartwarming Christmas story about respect, integrity and love.
Excerpt
NICK & SADIE
“MR. KERSTMAN, you look just like Santa Claus. Are you Santa Claus? My sister says you’re not, but I think you are. If you’re Santa, then why do you teach school? You should be at the North Pole making toys. I already know what I want for Christmas. Can I give you my list?”
“Yes, Beverly, I’m Santa Claus. Would you like to see my driver’s license?”
Nick Kerstman showed Beverly and the entire class of second graders his fake driver’s license. He walked to her desk and handed it to her. He has shown it to hundreds of children, even some adults, since moving to North Carolina nearly three years ago. It shows him dressed in a Santa suit he bought at a costume store. The fake license grants him permission to: “Drive A Sleigh Of Reindeer Around The World On Christmas Eve.” Dugan, Nick’s friend, made it on his computer and had it laminated at a print shop.
“Look Denise, he really is Santa Claus. Just like I said.” Beverly proudly held the license up for her friend to see. “I told you he was Santa Claus. Now do you believe me? Mr. Kerstman — I mean Santa — which is your favorite reindeer? How many elves live at the North Pole? Does it snow all the time? How do you get all the toys in your sleigh? I like Dasher best. Denise doesn’t think reindeer can fly. Do reindeer ever get sick and can’t fly on Christmas Eve? How tall are the elves? How many toys do you deliver? Are you tired when you get home? Do you deliver toys to the elf children, too?”
During the brief time he has been Beverly’s teacher, Nick has observed that she is popular with her classmates, despite being so independent and outspoken. He wished more students were as eager to participate in class conversations as she has demonstrated. As she continued to speak, her dark blue eyes kept getting bigger and bigger and her face glowed from the excitement. Suddenly, he heard another voice.
“Mr. Kerstman,” Jeff said as he waved his hand trying to get attention to speak. Nick glanced around to see who it was.
“Yes, Jeff, do you want to say something?” He looked at Jeff, who was sitting on the back row across the room from Beverly. It was obvious to Nick that he was anxious to talk.
Everyone turned to look at Jeff, who usually does not talk in class unless the teacher calls on him. “Beverly, Santa Claus is not real. I knew that when I was in the first grade. You must be the only kid at Victory School that still believes in Santa. Mr. Kerstman can’t be Santa, because there ain’t no Santa.”
As Jeff was speaking, Nick glanced around the room to observe how the other students were reacting. Some were nodding in agreement with Jeff; some were watching Beverly; everyone seemed to be interested in the conversation.
“Yes, he is,” blurted Beverly with emotion in her voice. “I just know he is … aren’t you Mr. Kerstman?” she said with tears in her eyes. “You are Santa Claus; I know you are. Santa Claus is real and there he is,” she said as she sat tall in her seat and pointed to Nick.
This was not the first time Nick has had to answer a question like Beverly’s since becoming a substitute teacher at Victory Elementary School. But this was the first time a student had shown so such emotion. Usually they look at his driver’s license, accept the joke and the discussion ends. He has never had to offer any further explanation.
“Beverly … Jeff … class!” he exclaimed. “I know you’re enjoying this conversation, but it’s taking us away from our lessons. We need to stop talking about Santa Claus and start our reading lesson. You don’t want to disappoint Miss Price, do you?”
“But we want to talk about you and the elves and the reindeer and … and … and how will the toys get made if you’re not at the North Pole?”
“I’m sure Santa has everything under control,” Nick responded with as much kindness in his voice as he could, but he needed to end the discussion. “And
I’m certain there will be toys for all the boys and girls on Christmas Eve. Now, please class, open your reading books, and David, please begin reading at the top on page eighty-nine.”
“I hope Beverly doesn’t bring up Santa Claus again,” he thought, while everyone opened their reading books.
Beverly finally settled down and Nick got the students back on-track.
This was Nick’s ninth day in Betty Price’s class of 23 students. She was injured in a car accident the third day of school while driving home. It will be at least three months before she can return to class.
Nick began his teaching career at Victory when he and Sadie moved to North Carolina. Since he enjoys children so much, he decided to apply for a substitute teaching position at the neighborhood school that is less than a mile from his home. The principal hired Nick immediately because he had an unexpected vacancy and no one to fill it. That was the beginning of relationships that Nick treasures.
Everyone — students, parents, teachers and administrators — has come to respect and admire Nick the man and Nick the teacher. He is a natural teacher. His teaching style and techniques, while not always orthodox, hold the children’s attention, which allows him to engage them in the learning process.
Nick loves being a teacher, and students love being in his class. The Victory PTA has honored him as the Substitute Teacher of the Year for two straight years.
EVERYONE IS used to seeing Nick ride his bicycle around the neighborhood, with his dog, Jingles, running along beside him attached to a long, red leash. He and his wife, Sadie, are the most popular couple in the Westbrook Circle neighborhood.
Jingles, a black Labrador retriever, has been a member of the family for more than two years. He was a gift from one of Nick’s friends.
Nick enjoys riding his bicycle and Jingles’ companionship; it helps him relax from a busy schedule. As a large man, he realizes that he needs the exercise to keep from “getting any bigger.”
As Nick rounded the curve, he heard his name called. “Hello Mr. Kerstman!” yelled a small redheaded girl standing beside a white car. He rode into the driveway and approached the car. “Hello Nancy and Mrs. Phillips. It’s a beautiful evening. We’re enjoying our ride, aren’t we Jingles?” Jingles was looking at Nancy as he came to a stop.
“Mommy, can I pet Jingles?” asked Nancy.
“If Mr. Kerstman doesn’t mind, you can.”
Nick smiled. “Nancy, Jingles would love for you to pet him. See how he’s wagging his tail waiting for your attention.”
Nancy bent down and petted Jingles, who is a gentle dog. He is the first dog Nick and Sadie have ever owned.
It is common for neighbors to wave or speak to Nick during his evening rides. When he stops to chat, he is never in a hurry; he always spends as much time as they seem to want to spend with him.
“Do you like the fifth grade, Nancy?” he asked. She was in the first class he taught at Victory. When she was sick that year, he brought lessons by her home and spent time with her every afternoon. He became good friends with her and her parents.
“It’s okay, I guess. The math is hard, though, especially adding and subtracting fractions and making them into percentages. I’m getting some extra help from Mrs. Long.”
“That’s good. Don’t let it frustrate you. Always ask your teacher — that’s why we’re there. And if you still don’t understand, I’ll be glad to help. All you have to do is ask me.”
“That’s very kind, Nick,” Nancy’s mother responded. “Nancy’s always said you were her favorite teacher. You helped her so much when she was in your class.”
Nick and Jingles make two trips around the road that encompasses their neighborhood. Their home on Westbrook Circle is halfway down on the east side of the oval-shaped road. The street is lined with brick homes surrounded by green lawns filled with dogwoods, pines and azaleas.
Tonight is one of those beautiful southern nights when Nick enjoys being outside. It’s the kind of weather he and Sadie had never experienced before their move.
When Nick and Jingles return home, he parks his bicycle in the garage before going into the house. Regardless of the weather, Sadie always has a mug of hot chocolate and some of her homemade cookies waiting for him. After eating a snack and drinking fresh water, Jingles goes to lie down at his favorite spot in the family room.
Nick usually goes to his downstairs office where he reads any reports Dugan has ready for him and watches videos that were recorded that day.
The familiar lament of dual-career parents raising children is, "I just can't do it all." The Libra Solution provides an alternative - a more satisfying and sustainable work and life approach - to the overwrought modern day norm.
Let this coming of age story of a boy named Bean take you back to a simple time. Set in a small southern town in the 1960's, encircled by a river and gleaming white cotton fields.
The familiar lament of dual-career parents raising children is, "I just can't do it all." The Libra Solution provides an alternative - a more satisfying and sustainable work and life approach - to the overwrought modern day norm.
