I step into cool water from the shallow end, knowing the quicker I submerge, the easier it is to acclimate to this different world.

On this Tuesday morning, 12 of us stride in rows, pushing through the water to warm up. Floating lane dividers are moved aside for our aerobics class. More ambitious non-class exercisers swim in two lanes reserved for them in this 25 - yard indoor pool at the Morganton Aquatics Center.

Sunshine filters through colored glass window panes. It might be enough light, but far overhead, fluorescent tubes brighten the cavernous space. Sound insulation pads hang from the ceiling reminding me of Mardi Gras with their colors of gold, purple and green.

I suspect all of us envy our instructor's physique. She calls out commands that we aspire to obey, but often cannot. Maybe if I were paying more attention instead of enjoying others' company, I'd do better.

A pal, whom I'll call May, stands a few feet away as we grapple with Styrofoam dumbbells in collarbone-deep water. She tells me about a married couple she knows.

"They used to be so affectionate all the time, even in public."

"No, it was annoying as hell."

We push and pull the weights through the water, stirring up the clean, chlorine scent.

May gives me a look and says, "Now, that same couple is in a Mexican stand-off. Maybe headed for a divorce."

Ah, marriage. We joke about young people not understanding how hard it is.

"Don't they know you want to kill each other half the time? Why, that's what marriage IS."

May is trying to make me feel better because I've told her that loved ones close to me have signed for a legal separation.

The instructor calls out, "Tighten that tummy! Don't arch your back!"

May says, "Another couple I know was so miserable they decided to separate, then wound up violating the separation one night, if you know what I mean."

Pumping my legs in a slow-motion jog, I ask, "Then what?"

May shrugged. "They got back together. Made it work. The child is over 20 years old now."

We both know how unusual such a situation is and are silent for a reverent moment.

Another conversation on the other side of the pool catches my ear, difficult in the echoing space filled with splashes and the instructor's oldies music.

"Did you hear about Mimosa Hills Country Club closing their pool?" one of our classmates asks.

Someone answers, "Yes, they found out it would cost a quarter million dollars to repair it." And with the noise, I can't hear anything else. Was the pool a victim of sudden crisis? Or simply neglected over time so that little by little it came apart?

Sometimes things can't be repaired no matter how hard you try.

I tell May about my loved ones seeing three marriage counselors. She shakes her head.

"Sometimes it's just not meant to be."

Our instructor says, "Listen y'all, I'm sorry about the Mimosa pool situation, but the city of Morganton's outdoor pool is a great resource. We're taking the cover off soon. That's a massive undertaking, by the way, and that pool doesn't get used as much as it could be. When the day cares leave at 3:30, it's deserted."

She brings me back to present hopefulness, back to the possibilities that remain.

Gwen Veazey is a member of the Morganton Writers' Group.

What: The Collett Street Outdoor Pool summer swimming

When: Summer hours start on Friday June 9. The hours will be Monday through Friday from 1-5 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m., Saturday from 1-7 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.

Where: The pool is located at 401 N. King St. in Morganton

Daily Cost for city residents

Summer Season Pass for city residents

More here:

Another day at water aerobics - Burke County Notebook - Morganton News Herald