The Swimmers

They lined up at the door before daybreak wearing their swim suits underneath their winter coats.

It wasn't enough to swim at dawn each day, like dairy cows with their designated milking stations they had to have their favorite swim lanes. 

Lane one was Gert's, lane two was Florence's, lane three was Agnes', lane four was Betina's, lane five was Penelope's, lane six was Howie's but he just floated on a yellow noodle. 

For Gert and Florence this was the hour of chit chat and juicy gossip as they did pseudo fitness exercises in the water. They yakked about food, (Gert never cooked), their husbands (Gert hated hers), other people, you name it, except never politics.

Last week Agatha showed up (she normally shows up on Saturdays) but this was a Tuesday. Anyway Agatha claimed Florence's usual spot which honestly she's legitimately allowed to do after all she's been a paying member since the 90's.

Agatha and Florence exchanged some ugly words. It became clear that sharing was not an option. Their voices got louder and louder and they began punching each other, scratching, and fighting in the water. Everybody stopped to watch. Then a few of us stifled laughter. 

The lifeguard ran the room like a good bartender. He knew when to stay out of things, pretend not to hear and when to step in. He ran over, jumped in and wedged between them, ending the brawl taking a few blows in the process.

Betina was beginning to wonder if she should change pools or find a different hour to swim. She'd had enough.