Chapter 4: I hate being stuck in airports

Alyssa paced the floor of her room, waiting for Shawn to call. She kept wringing her hands and walking back and forth.

Ring Ring Alyssa jumped and grabbed at her phone. "Hello?" she asked urgently.

"Hey 'Lyssa. You doin' okay?"

"No, but I'll be great once you get here. When are you coming in?" Alyssa crossed her fingers I hope he's still coming!

"My flight comes in at 9:30 tomorrow morning. Will you be there?"

"Of course. I'll get there early, in case your flight comes in early. Shawn you have no idea how much this means to me. Anything you want, I'll… I don't know but I'll do it or…"

"Don't worry. I'm just glad I can help. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah. See you tomorrow. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Bye 'Lyssa." "Bye Shawn."

Alyssa hung up the phone and collapsed onto her bed. Oh Lord, please keep him safe! Please let Shawn help Billy! Before she knew it, she had cried herself to sleep.

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Alyssa sat straight up on her bed when she heard her alarm go off. I have to shower and go! She jumped up and ran to the bathroom.

When she finished, she grabbed her purse and keys and ran out the door. She drove quickly to the airport and ran to the baggage claim. She bought an iced coffee from Starbucks and sat down to wait. She waited for about thirty minutes until she heard the announcement that his plane had arrived.

She stood up in anticipation and watched as passengers walked down the steps and into the baggage claim. She stood on her toes, trying to see over the patrons.

"Alyssa!" She heard a voice yell from behind her.

She spun around, "Shawn!" She ran towards her cousin and jumped up. Shawn dropped his bag and caught her mid jump. "You're here!" Shawn laughed and let her down to the ground.

"Yes, I'm here. Now let's get out of here. I hate being stuck in airports." Shawn picked up his bag and followed her out to her car. After stowing the bag in the trunk and climbing into the car, Alyssa turned towards her cousin.

"Shawn, I'm sorry."

"For what?" Shawn looked at her with a look of confusion.

"For making you come out here. It's just…" Alyssa broke down in tears. "I don't know what else to do! We…we're out of options…I…" Shawn reached over and pulled his younger cousin into a tight hug.

"You didn't make me come out here. I'm doing this of my own free will. And you have an option, me. 'Lyssa, stop crying. It's going to be okay. I'm going to do what I can, okay?" Shawn squeezed her and let her go. "Are you going to be okay to drive?"

"Yes, I'll be fine. Shawn?" He glanced at her. "Thank you." She put the key in the ignition and slowly drove out of the parking garage. When they hit the main road, she pulled out her cell phone and called Rocky.

"Alyssa, is he here?" he asked immediately when he picked up the phone.

"Yes," she said slowly. "Now where are you guys? So I can drive there?"

"We're at my house. You remember where that is, right? We figured it was the safest bet since my folks are out of town for the week."

"Yeah, I remember. Thanks Rocky. We'll be there in a bit." Alyssa hung up the phone and glanced at her cousin. "Did you want to get something to eat? You must be starved."

"No, I'm good. We can eat after I save your boyfriend." Shawn smiled. "I hope you don't mind my asking, but how long have you two been dating?"

"3 and a half years. He asked me out the second week of freshmen year." Alyssa smiled at the memory. "But we've been friends since mom and I moved here from Seattle. He was one of the first people to talk to me."

"Wow. That's a long time. I don't know many high school relationships that last that long." Shawn paused and Alyssa knew what question was coming next. "How did this happen? Do you know?"

Alyssa bit her lip as she debated telling her cousin the truth. "Umm…Shawn I really can't tell you exactly. It relates to a lot more people than just Billy and me. I can tell you that it's not a normal human disorder." Shawn nodded in understanding and resumed staring out the window.

The two spent the rest of the ride in silence. "Ah, here we are." She pulled the car up in front of Rocky's house and turned off the ignition. Alyssa turned towards her cousin, "I just want to thank you again. You have no idea how much this means to me."

Shawn nodded and stepped out of the car. He followed Alyssa to the door where she promptly knocked. Almost as soon as she knocked it was opened by a young Asian man dressed in a black tee shirt and jeans. "Alyssa!" Said the young man, opening the door for them.

"Adam, I want you to meet my cousin Shawn Farrell. Shawn, this is one of my best friends Adam."

"Nice to meet you. Everyone is in the kitchen, come on." The pair followed Adam into the kitchen where the introductions began.

Alyssa glanced at Shawn. "This is Rocky, Tanya, Kat, and Tommy. Guys, this is my cousin Shawn." Alyssa grinned as the men and women shook hands. This is going to work! Billy is going to be back to normal! She tried to contain her excitement as she hugged her cousin tightly.

"Well, would you like me to do this now?" he whispered into her ear before they separated. She nodded. "We're…" Alyssa trailed off, suddenly terrified. What if this doesn't work? What's going to happen to him? We'll lose him forever!

Shawn put his arm around her and pulled her close. "Don't think about it." he whispered, knowing the thoughts that had entered her mind. "Come on. Let's do this." Rocky led Shawn and Alyssa down the hallway into the room where Billy was resting. Alyssa's breath caught in her throat when the entered the room. Billy had aged again, and looked worse than he had the day before.

Alyssa walked over and sat gingerly on the bed. She took his hand and brought it to her lips. "Billy, we're here. I've brought my cousin." She stood up and kissed his cheek, stopping to whisper in his ear, "I love you more than you know." She felt the familiar lump rise in her throat and Shawn put his hand on her shoulder.

Shawn heard Alyssa gasp when they entered the room. He stared at the lifeless form lying on the bed. What lie there was someone who looked like he should be in a nursing home. He easily looked 85 years old, with all the aches and illnesses that go along with it.

Alyssa had sat down on the bed and was talking to the body. He saw her begin to cry and he put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. He looked down at her and nodded.

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AN: To clarify, I'm not suggesting that all people who reach at 85 are ill and aching. I'm merely going along with that stereotype.

You know the drill…I only own Alyssa.