Chapter 35 – Dinner for Three (and One Genius)
Jake had just gotten home to Sherman Oaks when Judith called him into the kitchen with a voice that was way too calm to be casual.
He found her standing at the counter, chopping vegetables with unusual intensity. There were cloth napkins on the table. A roast was in the oven. She'd even lit a candle.
Jake stopped in his tracks. "Okay, so... what's happening? Did Grandma die or are we hosting the Queen?"
Judith gave him a look. "Neither. Sit down, sweetheart."
He slid into a chair, backpack still on. "This isn't one of those sex education talks, is it?"
She shook her head, then placed the knife down and turned toward him.
"I've been seeing someone," she said.
Jake blinked.
"Like... dating?"
She nodded. "Yes. For about two months now."
Jake narrowed his eyes. "Two months? When?"
"When you're with your dad on weekends," she said quickly, as if that would soften it. "I wasn't hiding it—I just wanted to make sure it was something real before telling you."
Jake leaned back. "Alright. So... you're telling me now because?"
She took a breath. "Because he's coming over for dinner tonight. I want you to meet him."
"Of course he is," Jake muttered. "And what's his name?"
"Dr. Malnec. He's a pediatrician. Works with kids."
Jake raised a brow. "So I can expect a full physical exam with dessert?"
"Jake."
He smirked. "Just kidding."
Sort of.
---
6:30 PM – Showtime
The doorbell rang right on time.
Judith smoothed her blouse, fluffed her hair, and opened the door with a smile.
"Hi!"
Standing there was Dr. Malnec—tall, clean-cut, and casual in a dark flannel shirt, sleeves rolled up, and jeans. His hair was sandy brown with a little curl, and his smile was easy, genuine. The kind of guy who probably said "champ" unironically to kids and actually pulled it off.
He held a modest bottle of sparkling apple cider. "Evening, Judith."
She stepped aside. "Come in, come in."
Jake stood by the dining table, arms crossed, observing.
"You must be Jake," Dr. Malnec said, stepping forward with a warm grin and outstretched hand.
Jake shook it. "Yep. That's me. Welcome to our quiet little corner of the domestic experience."
Malnec chuckled. "Nice to meet you, Jake."
"Likewise," Jake replied, watching him closely. Friendly. Normal. A little too normal. He was suspiciously uninteresting.
---
Dinner Is Served
They sat down at the table, which looked unusually formal for a weeknight. Roast chicken. Roasted potatoes. Salad with actual garnish. Judith had gone all out.
Dr. Malnec took a sip of his cider. "Smells amazing."
Judith smiled. "Thank you."
"So," Malnec said, turning to Jake, "college at eleven, huh?"
Jake nodded. "Caltech. I figured middle school was holding me back."
"I can imagine," Malnec said, impressed. "That's a lot of pressure, though."
Jake shrugged. "I handle stress well. Especially when I'm smarter than most of the adults around me."
Judith shot him a look. "Jake."
He smiled. "Kidding. Mostly."
Malnec laughed. "Well, you seem grounded. That's a good sign."
There was a pause while they passed the potatoes.
"So what's your deal?" Jake asked, eyes still on the doctor. "You poke kids with needles all day?"
Malnec smiled. "Only the ones who need vaccines. I mostly help parents understand their kids better—growth issues, health, behavioral stuff. I like it. Kids are honest."
Jake tilted his head. "Fair answer."
---
Midway Through the Meal
Conversation shifted to lighter topics. Malnec shared a funny story about a little boy who swallowed a penny and insisted it made him a robot. Jake mostly observed.
He wasn't sure what he'd expected—some pretentious guy in a sweater vest, maybe. But Dr. Malnec didn't try too hard. He wasn't overbearing. Just... normal.
That was probably the weirdest part.
"You ever work with genius kids?" Jake asked at one point.
Malnec smiled. "A few. Most are just regular kids with high-functioning brains. They still eat too much sugar and hate bedtime."
Jake nodded. "That tracks."
---
After Dinner
Judith walked Dr. Malnec to the door, leaving Jake in the dining room with his soda.
When she returned, she looked at him like he was a thermometer she wasn't sure how to read.
"Well?"
Jake set his glass down. "He's... not awful."
"Just 'not awful'?"
"Okay," Jake said. "He's... decent. I didn't hate him."
Judith smiled. "That might be the nicest thing you've said all month."
Jake leaned back in his chair. "Don't get used to it."