It was three in the afternoon. Homer had not moved from his bed since he arrived there earlier that morning. During that entire time he did so, he drifted off to sleep for only two hours before waking up again and remembering what had gone on hours before. He felt miserable and sad, while a throbbing pain from where he had been punched by Artie still lingered, his eye was definitely black and blue. The more he thought about Marge and how Artie acted when he discovered the child was a girl, the more he wished he could do more about it. He wondered if Marge really loved Artie now and he wondered how the child would grow up. Would Artie shape up and be a good father? It was hard to tell. All he knew was that he could not sleep and that he needed to get up and at least get something to eat. But he wasn't actually hungry, he was thirsty. But the thirst he had was not to rehydrate himself, he wanted to drown his sorrows out. It was time to go to Moe's.
Slowly he got up from his bed and went to his chest of drawers where he stared at himself in the mirror for a moment. His hair was a mess and some extra stubble was coming in, but that didn't really matter because he was going to Moe's, not a classy enough place to bother making himself look presentable. Quickly, he changed into something comfortable and then slowly walked down the stairs where his father was once again watching TV. His father had given him six months to live with him, but the six months had been up a long time ago and Abe never bothered to kick him out. Homer never knew why but he was okay with that, it was free rent any way.
As soon as Homer opened the door, he was greeted by cold and misty air. It was foggy, but not too foggy. But what did it matter to him? If it was snowing he would be driving to Moe's, he just wanted to be among friends and maybe talk about the situation with them. He revved up his car, let it warm up for a minute while he watched the fog roll around before finally backing out.
Moe's new bar was definitely not as great as his old one in Key West. For one thing, not many people showed up to hang out there. The outside always looked dank and unfriendly, that assumption was usually correct. The lighting was not the best and Moe was usually grumpy, mainly due to the fact that customers were few and far between and it frustrated Moe to no end. He missed the good old days in Key West, the fishing, the friends, and the atmosphere. It was so different for him here and everyone could see his change in mood. But his friends never stopped visiting him and were usually happy to keep him company at the lonely bar.
It wasn't long before Homer pulled into the tiny parking lot on the side of Moe's, there were about six cars there and he recognized four of them. Barney's, Lenny's, Carl's, and Moe's. Two others that he did not know were there. Which was a good thing, especially for Moe to stay in business. Quietly, Homer made his way through the fog and into the bar. As soon as he opened it, the small group of friends he knew looked up from staring down at their beers and greeted Homer.
"Hey, it's Homer!" Barney said happily.
"Haven't seen you around here much lately," Lenny said.
"I see someone got into a fight there, I would hate to see how the other guy came out," Moe said as he noticed the his bruised eye and began pouring a glass for him. "The drinks on me, just for doing that."
"Thanks Moe, I didn't win though," Homer said as he sat down, Moe quickly grabbed the beer back from him.
"Then you pay like everyone else," Moe replied.
"Fine by me," Homer shrugged before Moe returned the glass. Homer began to drink it and after three quick gulps, the beer was now half empty.
"So what happened?" Carl asked.
"I saved Marge Ziff's life. She went into labor at the college. I drove her to the hospital. And what do I get in return? A punch in the face for protecting her after Artie gets all pissy about it being a girl," Homer replied before taking another big gulp of beer.
"Wait a minute...are you saying you got punched in the face by Artie Ziff?" Moe asked. Homer gave him a weak nod without looking up from his drink. "You Homah Simpson? One of my best fisherman, defeated by a dumbass poindexter?"
"Yeah, pathetic isn't it," Homer said sadly.
"You're damn right it is! Why if I was you, I wouldda punched him back and then threw him down the hospital garbage disposal," Moe said as he was clenching his fists and pretending to box.
"Yeah Homer, you could have a least spit on him or something after he punched you," Lenny said.
"Yeah I know, but I was too heartbroken to really care. I mean all he kept saying was that it was a mistake and that the doctors promised him a boy. But it's not a mistake, he was the one who caused it. He should have been happy it was alive and well," Homer said.
"Eh not all people are passionate Homah. They go through life getting what they want, and then they are still unhappy about it," Moe said.
"Yeah true, but I just feel terrible for Marge, she even sided with him too and told me to go! I really could not fight back, I probably would have been brought to jail," Homer said as he finished his glass and asked for another.
"And besides, Marge had gone through enough with the pregnancy that she didn't need more stress. So you did the right thing, but could have also tried to fight back more just to show him who's boss," Carl said.
"Yeah I know," Homer said with a sigh as he stared out into the distance before taking a swig of his beer.
"Eh but you don't need to worry about that no more, let's just drink up and have a nice evening," Moe said hoping to cheer Homer up.
"Yeah, I'll bet Artie will get over it and things will be fine," Carl said.
"I hope so, that little girl was just so cute. She had her mothers looks mostly, I think her hair will be like her fathers though. And I hope she will be intelligent like her father, but not like him in every way. God that would be depressing," Homer said with a sigh before rubbing his sore eye.
"Well if she's smart, she will be like her mother and not be a jerk like her father," Moe said.
"I hope so, I really don't see what Marge ever saw in him. She said he was a gentleman, but I never saw it. I guess girls see gentlemen differently. Jenna said I was one once but that was during valentines day when you should have treated her right. …...God I miss Jenna," Homer said as tears began to fall.
"We all miss what we left behind, it sucks but hey at least we have the memories," Moe said with a shrug.
Homer said nothing and let out a sigh. Even though he was among friends now, he still felt miserable. He helped Marge get to the hospital, but what did he have to show for it? Nothing but a black eye and no thank you from Artie. Sure Marge was grateful, but when would he be able to have coffee with her without Artie getting angry. He wanted to be friends with her, to know more about little Lisa and how she was growing. But he knew that if he talked to her, he would wish things would be different. He needed to accept the fact that Marge never loved him and that she was Artie's. He needed to accept the idea that he had to find someone else to love and forget about Marge, but he knew that was impossible. He had thought about her for six years even ending a relationship because of it.
Jenna. He missed her so much, he wished she was still with him, they probably would be married by now if that night did not happen. Maybe Jenna would be pregnant too, they would have kids and he would be happy. But instead he was in a dank bar, surrounded by friends who really didn't understand his problem. He just wanted Jenna or even Marge to be there to talk to him. Maybe he could talk to Jenna, but would she want to talk to him? That was a question that was now bothering him and he wondered if he could still get a hold of her, just to talk to her for a few hours. She knew him better than anyone, and just talking to her would probably make him feel better. But could he contact her at all?
"Alright Homah, I really think you had enough now," Moe said rather suddenly as he returned from his moment of thinking.
Homer stared at Moe, then at his beer glass, it was empty now and he could have sworn he only had three glasses of beer before Moe called him out.
"How did I have enough, I've only had three," Homer said.
"No you've had ten," Moe replied as he took the glass away and began to clean it.
Homer looked around at the guys, but only Barney was still there. How in the world did that happen? Did he daydream that much? He did feel lightheaded now and he didn't realize he was thinking so hard.
Wait...how long have I been here?" Homer asked.
"About six hours. All you've been doing is sit there and drink your beer looking sad and depressed. I say you should head on home now and get some sleep," Moe said.
Homer said nothing, Moe was right, he hadn't had a decent sleep in more than twenty-four hours. He needed his sleep. But first he knew he had to see if he could contact Jenna.
Homer had no idea how he got home safely, all he knew was that a moment later he was in his room staring at his phone and wondering if the number he had on his nightstand was the same number Jenna still had. Perhaps she had changed it long ago and the number belonged to someone else. But it was always good to try, he just wanted to hear her voice again and hopefully it would be her.
Slowly, he dialed the number. It was more difficult than normal thanks to his inebriation, but he was able to get it right and before long the phone was ringing. Homer held his breath hoping that he had the right number. After four rings, he heard the other person on the line pick up and a familiar voice answer the phone.
"Hello?" Jenna said curiously.
Homer smiled, it was her, she still had the same number and he had dialed it correctly. He was so happy that he forgot he needed to speak. He only stood there waiting for her to talk again.
"Hello?" Jenna said again this time in a more annoyed voice. That's when Homer realized he needed to respond.
"Jenna! It's me," Homer replied.
"I'm sorry, who is this?" Jenna asked. Homer let out a frown, it had been so long, she didn't recognize his voice. It was almost heartbreaking but he remained strong and spoke up.
"Jenna, it's Homer," Homer said with a hiccup.
"Homer! Why are you calling?" Jenna asked worriedly.
"Well I...I just wanted to talk to...to you, it's long...I mean, it's been a long time," Homer said as his speech slurred.
"Wait a minute, how many beers did you have tonight?" Jenna asked.
"Not as you might think...uh...as many," Homer replied.
"Homer, I know you had more than enough, I can hear it in your voice," Jenna said before getting ready to hang up on Homer.
"Jenna! Don't...don't hang up. I-I n-need someone to...to talk to," Homer said as he tried his hardest to sound desperate.
"Oh I'm sure you're alright, like I've said, you've had one too many beers," Jenna said.
"I'm n-not Jenna, I-I helped M-M-Marge last n-night," Homer said.
"That was very kind of you, I'm sure she had to appreciate it," Jenna said.
"She...she did, A-Artie di-didn't," Homer said in a voice that sounded a little angry.
"Well of course not, he is her husband after all," Jenna said in a way that sounded convincing, like she understood his problems. He was probably acting because of all the drinking, but she knew she had to humor him.
"H-he got angry...because he was promised a boy," Homer said sadly.
"Oh no! Did the child die?" asked Jenna.
"No, it-it was a g-girl," Homer said.
"Oh, well...how angry was he?" Jenna asked. Now things were getting interesting and now she was willing to listen to all he had to say.
"H-he wouldn't h-hold her, h-he just sneared and com-complained, h-he said he wanted a b-boy," Homer replied tears were now falling down his face.
"He'll get over it, once he sees how beautiful she is, he will love her until the day he dies," Jenna said.
"I s-sure hope s-so, M-Marge should never be treated th-that way, she is a-a w-wonderful person who I-I care t-too much about," Homer said. He knew he probably could not say it in front of Jenna but he was so tired and so upset right now that he just needed a friendly voice that told him things would be alright.
"Don't worry Homer, she is in very good hands," Jenna said in the best reassuring voice she could muster.
I-I just h-hope s-so, h-he was so angry, I-I wanted to p-punch him. H-he can't be like that after s-such a l-long labor," Homer said with a sigh.
"Some people just act differently, I'm sure everything will be fine. And I think it's best you moved on and let Marge and Artie live a happy life. It sounds like you need to get some rest too," Jenna said.
"Yeah, b-but what about you, h-how are y-you?" Homer asked hoping to keep the conversation longer. He just wanted to talk to someone, he didn't care any more if he was exhausted or not.
"I'm alright, college has been a hassle, but I'm hanging in there," Jenna said nervously. She wanted to get off the phone, but knew that Homer would probably dial again.
"W-Would you ever want m-me back?" Homer asked.
Jenna paused for a moment, she had no idea how to answer that for him. She still cared about him, but not in the way he wanted. It had been so long and the truth about him thinking about Marge the entire time still upset her. It had been long enough too that she started seeing other people, and that other person was in the apartment with her and wondering why she was still on the phone.
"Jenna, what's taking you so long, the movie will be on any second now," a voice in the background called out.
"I'll be there in a minute, Josh," Jenna said.
"Who's that?" Homer asked worriedly. Jenna did not respond right away, she remained silent for the longest time before Homer called to her again. "Jenna?"
"Homer...you need to move on okay, find someone who will make you happy, you had your chance with me but what you did hurt me on the inside. So please, just move on and find your happiness," Jenna said.
"B-but you were my happiness," Homer said sadly.
Jenna paused for a moment, unable to respond back with his sad reply. She felt terrible for him, she really did. But she couldn't rush over to him, they were thousands of miles away, and she was in love with someone else.
"Jenna!" Josh said as he entered the room where she was talking on the phone.
"An old friend just needs to talk to me," Jenna replied.
Josh grumbled under his breath and held his hand out to talk to the other person on the line. Jenna reluctantly gave it to him hoping the conversation would not get too rough.
"Who is this?" Josh asked.
"Homer, h-her old boyfriend," Homer said worriedly.
"Ah I heard about you, you sounded like a great guy until you messed everything up. You trying to make amends with her?" Josh asked.
"Yeah sort of, but I can s-see you've t-taken her heart," Homer replied, he was really too tired to argue.
"I have, it's been a great couple of months," Josh said in a very optimistic tone.
"Well please do-do me a favor and d-don't ever break her h-heart like I did, you will regret it. Just t-take care of her and b-be a wonderful boyfriend, that's all I ask. If I h-hear that you hurt her, then things will get really bad r-really quick," Homer said as tears ran down his face.
"Of course my friend, don't worry I wold never harm someone like her," Josh said in a very sincere voice.
"Thanks," Homer replied with a sigh.
"Any time. Listen we need to go, a really good movie is starting," Josh said.
"Alright, have a good night then," Homer replied. He waited until Josh hung up first before he even put the phone down. In fact, he kept the phone to his ear for a good minute before finally setting it down and looking at the floor.
He felt so miserable at the moment. Jenna had moved on, accepting her life with someone else. He wondered if Josh loved what Jenna loved and if he had ever met Mick. Of course he probably had, Mick seemed to keep the guys she dated in line, or at least made sure they were treating her well. Now if only he could move on like Jenna he would be happy. He did try though, that was the important thing, Emily just wasn't his style.
But would he ever find someone as amazing as Marge and Jenna? He had heard the expression "There are plenty of fish in the sea," but if there really were, how come he always came up empty? What was he doing wrong? It must be the way he held himself, the way girls saw him that made them turn away. That seemed to be the correct reason. If only he knew how to fix that, his friends probably would not be much of a help. They had tried before, mainly Roger, but he wasn't hanging with Homer any more and apparently, according to Moe any way, abandoned the house in Key West and skipped town to some unknown place. Barney, never found any one either, but he seemed okay with that, he seemed married more to Lady Duff. An unhealthy habit, but it made him happy and it wasn't easy for him to leave it. Moe was the same way, only his bar made him happy, even though it was a smelly stink hole, one that was definitely a few stars down from his old place.
Marge seemed to be happy with Artie, even though he had to be a complete ass about the whole situation with the baby. She was probably snuggling and kissing it right now, keeping little Lisa warm and happy next to her. Had Artie finally given in and accepted her as a girl? He sure hoped so, no man should ever hate their child for being who they were. He created the baby, so really it was his fault, the sperm got to the egg first and he needed to accept that. He just wished he could find out if everything was okay, but he knew he was banned from being near any of them, well at least for a few weeks until Marge recooperated from the pregnancy.
But would he be happy at all? Would he find someone just as wonderful and fun as Marge and Jenna were. At the moment, it just felt hopeless and frustrating to even think about. He wanted someone to talk to, someone to hug and snuggle with. Someone who would understand him, but unfortunately, no one was there. He was alone in the world, he had to fight his own battles.
But these battles did not feel easy at all, he wanted another drink. He just wanted to drown his sorrows out. Of course that would not make it go away, it would only make him more miserable. But suddenly he remembered something. Back when he first started high school, his father bought a gun, mainly for protection, it had been hiding at the top of the cupboard in the kitchen ever since. Well at least he thought so, if it was still there, that's how he would solve his problem.
Quietly, he made his way down the steps of his fathers house. Abe was up, but was watching an old western on TV. Good, he would be distracted, he would not know what was going on until it was too late. Homer walked right by him and into the kitchen where he felt around at the top of the cupboard for the box that held the Smith and Wesson .38 hand gun. For a moment, he came up with nothing, until he reached the very end and found the box. Quickly he grabbed the box and brought to the light in the kitchen. The box was dusty from not being used at all, proof that where Abe lived, life was easy and no robberies had occurred. Proof that the gun had not been used yet, until tonight.
He opened the box, and there before the red velvet lining lay the Smith and Wesson, a perfectly crafted gun, still shiny and very lethal. Homer stared at it for a moment, making sure that what he was about to do was the right move. He couldn't think of anything good happening at all for his future. Nothing to make him happy, he had a dead end job, no one who cared for him and he just felt miserable. Yes, life would be better without Homer J. Simpson.
Carefully, he picked up the gun, it was cold to the touch and felt very clean, it had never been used, it was only for protection, but for the first time, it would be used for something more sinister, something more cowardly. But Homer did not care, he could not take his sadness any longer. After he held it for a few minutes, he knew it was best not to hesitate. Carefully he found the perfect spot on his temple where he could end his life, he steadied it for just a moment, and then pulled the trigger.
A/N: Bahahahaha, Cliffhanger!
And holy crap! I was not expecting all those reviews in my last chapter! Where did all you people come from? Where have you all been in the past few months when I needed you all? Oh well thank you any way, especially to kkman57 for giving me my 200th review. I was actually not expecting to get one until this chapter, so it was a nice pleasant surprise. Actually, thank you to everyone who reviewed, you are all so awesome. I know you will all probably be so mad at me for this chapter but I do have about six more to go. So don't give up on me yet.
Also if anyone is interested, I decided to make a facebook account for my fanfiction and Deviant Art friends. So if anyone wants to follow me and read my random statuses with updates on when a chapter might be done, feel free to friend me. Just tell me your name on here or DA when you ask to be my friend, just so I know who you are. My name is Narfy Toon. So yeah I would love to be your friend.
Any way please review and I will hopefully have a new chapter up soon.