Alison looked at Ryan as he walked over to this beautiful, tall woman. She began to see what everyone was talking about - they had a history, and not just one of those "well they went out for years" histories, but one where things happened - where important events took place. Alison saw that Ryan and Marissa a connection that was quite deep, even though they had not seen each other for years. She could also see how Ryan could have been attracted to her ten years ago. Marissa was beautiful - tall, slender, nice eyes, nice hair. Although she tried not to show it, the appearance of Marissa began to make her a little jealous. She watched Ryan go up to Marissa and talk to her.
"Hey, Marissa," Ryan said. He was absolutely in awe of seeing her. It had been ten years since they had seen each other.
"Hi, Ryan," Marissa replied. They stood there for a moment, neither of them saying anything. "It's nice to see you again."
"Yeah, you too," Ryan answered. Marissa walked away from him and over to Seth and Summer, where she greeted both of them warmly. Alison watched the whole time. Ryan walked over to Alison and stood next to her.
Marissa turned to Alison and asked, "Who are you?"
Alison looked at Ryan. He answered, "Marissa Cooper, this is Alison Hamilton. Alison, this is Marissa."
"Oh! So she's your girlfriend? Wow, that's great, Ryan!" Marissa exclaimed. She smiled at them. "How did you two meet?"
"We met in college, actually," Ryan told Marissa. "But we didn't start dating then. Last year we saw each other again... and things just starting happening."
"That's really great," Marissa told him. She smiled at the couple.
"So Marissa, how are things for you?" Seth asked. "Anything new recently?"
She shrugged. Nothing really happened in her life - ever. Sure, maybe she went to her daughter's brownie troop meeting last Monday, but that was it. Marissa responded, "Uh, no... not much is happening with me. Work's good. Home's good."
Ryan put his arm around Alison, turned to Marissa and asked, "So where do you work now?"
Marissa was a little embarrassed by the question. After finding out about the pregnancy, she ditched any efforts that she had put into college. Finally she replied, "I work as a waitress, actually."
Ryan was stunned by her statement. How could the girl that had everything growing up want this now? He decided to delve deeper, and asked, "Do you live nearby?"
"Actually, yeah. I live in the numbered streets with - " Marissa paused.
"With who?" Ryan wondered.
"... with my daughter," Marissa admitted.
"You have a daughter? Wow, that's really great," Ryan smiled. Alison glanced at his face.
"Yup, I do. Her name's Emma, and she's almost ten," Marissa said. She began to see Ryan's face fall. She could see him doing the math in his head, and his girlfriend's face turn a light shade of green.
She could see the expression on his face change. He said, "Oh."
Tears came to Marissa's eyes. This was what she did not want to happen. "I have to go," she said. Marissa waved goodbye, and ran out. When she got inside her car, she sat there and sobbed for a moment. Marissa felt as if everyone around her thought she was failure.