Autumn in Philadelphia Trilogy

The Return: Countdown

You need to be careful of people who tell you that adventure exists at the next turn-because it turns out that they are not really walking into a story but running away from a history that chases them throughout time. -Christopher Herz

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Shawn had little sleep the night before as his mind refused to rest. He spent the wee morning hours studying the news article Sandra had given him and the papers that the Boogeyman hadn't taken.

There were still a lot of gaps in the Jay Andrews story, and he wasn't sure how to fill them in. But he now had enough pieces to put a theory together.

Jay Andrews

Dark curly hair

Good-looking

14/15 when he lived with Richie

Idolized Richie

Got into major trouble in 76-77

Left Richie after college; never returned

Attended Collegiate School

This was also the description of someone he knew well: Jon.

This theory bothered Shawn more than the gaps and led to a host of new questions.

What happened that Jon changed not only his last name but first name too?

Why did he go back to Turner?

Why didn't he go back to see Richie after college?

Shawn stared out of the window at the climbing tree.

If Jon and Jay were the same person, then Audrey's comment about Jay not being related to her and no longer existing would be true. It also clarified Jacklyn's memory of Jon renouncing his last name.

But why?

Why didn't Jon go back?

Why didn't Richie want anyone to bring Jon up after he left?

Why?

Why?

Why?

The lack of answers was too much so Shawn did the one thing he always did when things became too much.

He called Cory.

Cory's phone rang until it went to voicemail. Immediately he knew something was wrong- his calls never went to voicemail. Cory always picked up before the first ring was finished.

It was after 6:30 am and his best friend should have been getting ready for school. He called again and after several rings it was picked up.

"This is Cory's phone."

Shawn frowned. "Topanga?"

"Hey, Shawn." She sounded exhausted. "I'm sorry but Cory isn't available right now."

"What's up?"

"I honestly don't know," she said with a weary sigh. "I've never seen him like this. It's like someone's sucked all the Cory out of my husband and left me this gray, mumbling shell."