11. The Triangle

What Vivian never knew was that Beatrice and Angel had been in contact. For years. Angel’s secret phone never left her room, never touched the kitchen table, never crossed to downstairs. This phone had only one contact: Grandma.

Messages were exchanged in secret between the two, like passing notes in a room where the teacher never blinks.

WhatsApp Chat: Beatrice & Angel

Beatrice (9:47 PM): Are you awake?

[Seen 9:47 PM]

[Angel is typing…] [Stops.] [Typing resumes.]

Angel (9:49 PM): Yes.

Beatrice (9:50 PM): You heard her?

[Seen 9:50 PM]

Angel (9:52 PM): Some of it.

Beatrice (9:53 PM): Enough.

[Seen 9:53 PM] [A pause.]

Angel (9:56 PM): She sounded angry.

Beatrice (9:57 PM): She is weird.

[Seen 9:57 PM] [Typing…]

Angel (9:59 PM): Why did you text me today?

Beatrice (10:01 PM): Because we don’t have the luxury of waiting anymore.

[Seen 10:01 PM] [Angel is typing…] [Stops.]

Angel (10:03 PM): For what?

Beatrice (10:05 PM): For you to act.

[Seen 10:05 PM] [Typing…] [Stops.][Typing resumes.]

Angel (10:07 PM): I don’t understand.

Beatrice (10:08 PM): You will.

[Seen 10:08 PM] [Beatrice is typing…][Typing…] [Typing…]

[Message sent by Beatrice: 10:09 PM] [This message violates our community guidelines. Tap to view or report message. Learn more on how to protect yourself while using the app.]

[Angel: 10:09 PM] [Taps view message]

[No response.] [Angel is typing…] [Stops.] [Typing resumes.]

Angel (10:13 PM): No.

Beatrice (10:13 PM): Yes.

[Seen 10:13 PM]

Angel (10:14 PM): I can’t.

Beatrice (10:14 PM): You can.

[Seen 10:14 PM] [Angel is typing…]

Angel (10:18 PM): This is too much.

Beatrice (10:19 PM): It only feels that way because you’ve never dared to be brave before.

[Seen 10:19 PM] [A pause.]

Angel (10:30 PM): I’m scared.

Beatrice (10:31 PM): Good. Then just do it!

[Seen 10:31 PM]

Angel (10:32 PM): I don’t want to do this.

[Seen 10:32 PM] [A pause.]

Beatrice (10:34 PM): You’re not thinking clearly.

[Seen 10:34 PM]

Beatrice (10:35 PM): This is about ending something that should have ended a long time ago.

[Seen 10:35 PM] [Angel is typing…]

Angel (10:37 PM): I don’t know if I can do that.

Beatrice (10:38 PM): You can. And you will.

[Seen 10:38 PM] [A long pause.] [Angel is typing…]

Angel (10:43 PM): When should I do it?

Beatrice (10:44 PM): Soonest.

[Seen 10:44 PM]

[Angel is typing…] [Typing…] [The typing indicator disappears.]