Welcome to FlyerTalk. (I have deleted your personal details - it is not wise to post them on public websites.)

Did you cancel your initial flight or otherwise let AA know you were changing your plans?

If not, the normal policy with AA and most other airlines is that if one does not show for the initial flight (or subsequent ones) all other segments will be canceled.

You probably have no legal recourse, but you might get reconsideration from American Airlines if you contact them with the details and a succinct explanation, noting AA had published exceptions for those days.

You can (at least for now) see the post-tropical storm Sandy exceptions policy here. The problem, as I understand it, is you chose not to notify AA nor cancel your flight, and then merely did not show up for your initial flight, but still thought you were booked for the remainder of your itinerary's flight activity.

As to the "fine print", when you purchased the flights, you were given the option to review the "Detailed Fare Rules", which contain much significant information for the purchaser, including restrictions, change fees, etc. The e-ticket does not document much of that at all.

You might choose to contact AA via the web forms available ("Contact AA") or use one of the "snail mail" (do not try to e-mail executives or executive offices, as you may not get a reply) found here. I might try Mr. Sean Bentel, with a letter and ticket numbers, requesting their understanding and a refund (you decide for what), understanding they believe they did nothing wrong - you did not show, they canceled; you walked up and wanted to fly, they sold you a ticket. That's pretty much what happens.