My 97 Pontiac Grand Am acts like it's going to start, but never does?

[FoxForceFiveVega]

It's a 4 cylinder 97 pontiac grand am...today I was out running errands and at one place when I started the car it sounded really rough..I backed it out of parking space and put into drive and it went back to sounding normal. Went to one other place and it cranked up fine. Went to another place and when I went to crank it, it turns over and sounds like it's gonna crank up, but never does. What is going on? My car is stranded in a parking lot right now. I don't know where to start on this. I should add that 2 days ago, I changed the radiator hose that had a hole in it. I can't see that this would be related, but I guess I have to mention it. The car has gas in it btw. I was told that I could spray some starter fluid in the airtake(not sure if that's where the air filter is or what?) and if it started for a second, then it's the fuel pump. I don't get it. My car never has problems starting up as far as like turning over and over..it always cranks right up. It's not the battery or starter, I know this much. Any suggestions? If a spark plug fouled, would it not just run rough as hell, but still run?
The fuel pump for my car is $254! I don't know how to work on fuel line stuff. It's stranded at a 24 hour walmart parking lot. I hope it's still there this morning.
Just got it to the shop and the guy tried to crank it and listened to it..he said it sounds like it's jumping time...??