The Three Wishes of Billy Grier

Billy is diagnosed with a rare degenerative disease that speeds aging. Doctors run a battery of tests and tell him and his mother Nancy that there is no cure. They explain he will die of old-age natural causes decades before his actual death.

Billy experiences a rage-filled outburst, destroying almost everything in his bedroom. The shock reveals the emotional toll of the prognosis. This marks a turning point as he accepts his limited time.

With only months left, Billy settles on three goals: play sax in a jazz band, have a first sexual experience, and locate his estranged father. He reasons these will define the time he has left. He chooses to pursue them rather than tell his mother.

Billy decides not to tell his mother about his wishes to protect her from heartbreak. He leaves her behind to pursue his goals on his own. He plans to return when possible.

Billy meets Phyllis, a spirited woman with her own dreams. They form an alliance to help each other realize their ambitions. They set out together to chase Billy's goals.

Phyllis brings Billy to a jazz club where he is invited to play. His saxophone performance captivates the audience, drawing them away from conversations. It's a pivotal moment that validates his musical dream.

Billy confesses to Phyllis that he wants to make love to her, but she isn't fully receptive. The moment reveals their evolving relationship and Billy's fear of losing control. The door to intimacy opens, even as uncertainty remains.

Phyllis applies for a business loan to open her salon. Billy pretends to be her associate Bill while he says he knows nothing about business. The bank officer, noticing Billy's aging, believes he is a credible partner and approves the loan.

Meanwhile, Nancy discovers Billy is gone, believing he left to die alone. She sinks into depression, then gradually begins to piece her life back together after she pays off a back balance. This marks the slow return to everyday life.

Phyllis helps Billy realize the second dream by making love to him. The morning after he wakes early to leave, wanting to spare her from his looming fate. Phyllis wakes and they share a tearful moment.

Billy explains to Phyllis that he intends to return home and set things straight with his mother. He leaves early in the morning to begin his journey back. The trip represents his final attempt to tie family bonds.

On the road home, Billy falls ill and hides behind a diner building. A fry cook helps him, who turns out to be his alcoholic father living a hand-to-mouth life. The father does not recognize Billy.

Billy returns home and crosses paths with Nancy on an airport escalator. She initially fails to recognize him due to age progression, but when she glimpses his aging face, she rushes into his arms. They are briefly reunited.

The story closes with Nancy and Billy spending their last remaining days together at a camping village. They savor time left and share a quiet, intimate farewell.