Vanessa was sitting in the living room of her father's penthouse apartment. She had come over to spend time with him but he had left shortly after she arrived. He had dashed off mumbling something about parts, probably for his latest invention she guessed, and that they could talk when he returned home. Of course she knew when he father did return home it wouldn't be very long before Perry the Platypus showed up and then she would be tending to her dad's scrapes and bruises. The only thing she would not be able to heal was the damage to his ego.

Vanessa had sunk into one of the soft leather chairs and set up her laptop. Plugging in her headphones she listened to her favourite songs while checking to see who all was on chat. She noticed Johnny's name was lit up, but instead of clicking the chat option she hit *delete contact * and a small smile spread across her face. She had only been single for two weeks but quickly realized life was indeed better without Johnny.

Vanessa looked at her list of friends again Lacey was online, but it always said she was online. Vanessa also knew if she talked to Lacey, the girl would just want to go over the details of the break-up...again. She scrolled down the list of until she came to a screen name she did not recognize. Gliding her mouse over the name allowed the e-mail address to pop up. Oh it was Ferb! They had sent a few e-mails to each other over the past two weeks Ferb must have just added her to the live chat list. Without hesitation she clicked the *chat* button.

Almost an hour later she was still talking to Ferb. They were finding out each other's likes and dislikes, best memories, and worst, and Vanessa was having a great time. Suddenly the buzzer in her father's apartment went off.

"What?" Vanessa said looking up from the screen, only slightly confused.

It buzzed again. "Ah, Vanessa, are, are you in there?"

It was her father returned home obviously he had forgotten his keys...again.

"Vanessa, it's your father. If you're there could you, umm, could you let me in please? I-I forgot my key...again."

Vanessa sighed heavily, "why me" she asked the empty apartment, "why me". She got up from her chair and walked over to the door pressing the button to unlock the main door.

The speaker buzzed again "thank you Vanessa. OUCH!"

Cradling her head in her hands Vanessa walked back to her comfy chair. Clearly, she believed, her father would never learn. The screen of her laptop was flashing, the sign she had a new message:

Mr. Fix It says: My family is having a BBQ party later today. You should stop by for a bit, if you're not busy that is.

NessaD says: sounds fun, sadly I promised my dad I'd spend the day with him lame, I know...

Mr. Fix It says: No. Not lame, it is important to spend time with one's family. That is the whole reason for the BBQ today. My mother has invited half the street.

NessaD says: ya, I guess so.

Vanessa left her computer again when she heard her father's labours breaths coming from down the hall. She had left the apartment door open so that he could enter with ease however as he came into view Vanessa noticed he was trying to balance several boxes.

"Here dad, let me help with that." She said taking the top box of his burden.

"Oh, thank you Vanessa, I-I don't know if you heard me over the inter-com but a wrench fell out of one of the boxes and landed on my foot. It really hurt."

Vanessa shook her head in dismay, but had no reply. Her father set to work putting the finishing touches on his latest contraption. So Vanessa made her way back to her computer, but before she could reach it her cell phone rang.

"Hello?" she answered

"Hi Vanessa" came the cheerful reply

"Oh hey mom. What's up?"

"Are you having a good time at your fathers?"

"Oh, umm sure." she half lied "Perry hasn't showed up yet, but I'm sure he'll be here soon. That'll liven things up around here."

"Who's Perry?"

"Never mind mom. So, how'd your day going?"

"Good. Listen dear I was hoping you could get your father to drop you off at my friend Linda's house tonight. She's having a party and I thought you might like to come."

"Sure mom, sounds fun. I'm sure dad won't mind."

Just then from across the room the Doctor called to his daughter; "Vanessa, d-do you think you could bring me that wrench please?" he vaguely pointed in the direction of one of the many boxes now littering the floor of the apartment.

While still talking on the phone with her mother Vanessa picked up the wrench and walked it over to her father. She wasn't really paying attention and instead of placing the tool in her father's outreached hand she casually, and accidentally, let it drop on to his already sore foot.

"OUCH!" Heinz yelled while holding his injured foot he began hopping up and down with the other.

"What was that dear?"

"Oh, nothing mom, I'm sure dad will still be able to drive. So see you at six?"

After ending the conversation with her mother Vanessa finally made it back to her computer, and saw another message:

Mr. Fix It says: My brother, Phineas, has just informed me that the party is not until six o'clock this evening. If you are available you're still welcome to come over.

Vanessa was surprised she knew it must have taken a lot of nerve for the usually quite boy to invite her over, she really didn't want to blow him off but without a car her mom was the only way home, and her only way to her mom, was her dad.

NessaD says: I'm so sorry. My mom is going to a friend's house and I have to meet her there. Maybe some other time?

She hit the enter key just as her father called for her again this time to grab an icepack for his aching foot. She shook her head as she typed a quick TTYL and signed off.