Summary

The short story “Neutral Buoyancy” by J. R. McConvey begins with Jetta thinking about how other people at the public swimming pool make it hard for her to reach her goal. She mentally criticizes the people who occupy the pool lanes, nicknaming them to herself, and she is anxious to get in the pool at exactly 2:15. Jetta makes a big show of stretching next to the pool lane used by an overweight elderly woman she nicknames Wady Mary, convincing her to get out. 

Once Jetta is in the pool lane, she is only concerned with swimming sixty laps – a ritual she has engaged in daily for the past three years. She refuses to think about the other people in the pool or to make friends, as this would prevent her from achieving her daily goal. 

While swimming, Jetta feels free and in control of her bo...