It was night time at the Simpson house, and Homer was on the couch with a can of Duff in his hand watching a Springfield Isotopes game. Normally, Homer would be cheering for the team and yelling at the referees, but that wasn't the case tonight since he had no one to drink with. Bart and Lisa came to join him.

"Gee Homer, I've never seen you watch an Isotopes game alone on the couch," Bart said.

"I asked Lenny and Carl to come over, but they both said no. It's like they forgot that we always watch them together, even if Moe's is still closed. Even my thirty pack of Duff wouldn't convince them" Homer muttered.

"Dad, you don't seem to be affected by Barney's death as they are," Lisa said.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Homer asked as he sipped his beer.

"Well, they're clearly hurting from Barney's death. They know alcohol had a role in it. That's probably why they haven't been drinking with you lately," Lisa explained.

"So?"

"So it seems that you could care less about the guy you say was your best friend than everyone else."

Homer was surprised by Lisa's words. Was she implying that he didn't actually care for Barney?

"What are you talking about Lisa? We were best friends," Homer responded.

"Well, you seem to care more about your daily beer than Barney dying. It's like you love beer more than you loved your own best friend," Bart chimed in.

"Watch yourself, boy. You may end up loving beer more than Milhouse once you turn sixteen." Homer warned.

"Dad, Milhouse isn't really my best friend. I just tell him that so I can boss him around."

Little did Bart know that Milhouse was watching from the window with a sad teary-eyed expression on his face.

"Look kids, you don't know about things between me and Barney better than I do, so let's just watch the game."

Homer stared at the television for a few seconds before turning back to Bart as Marge came into the room.

"Want a beer, boy?" Homer asked.

"Really?" Bart asked with amazement in his voice.

"Homer!" scolded Marge.

"What? I'm asked nicely."

Marge just rolled her eyes. She couldn't understand how Homer was so unaffected by the death of his own best friend.