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Dear Breakup Girl,

I have a boyfriend and we talk every night on the phone. We talk, then after a while, we don't know what to say. What are some things we can talk about? Please give me some ideas!

-- Apral

Dear Apral,

Well, sweetie, maybe the part of the conversation that comes after the "we talk" part is just...the part when you're done talking. Maybe you've said what there is to say for that day and it's time to hang up and finish your algebra or watch "Grosse Pointe" (in that order). Now, I know that all the girls on, well, "Grosse Pointe" have all these oooh-you're-so-cute-I-just-can't-hang-up conversations with their heads hanging giddily (and bloodlessly) off the edge of the bed, but hey, maybe you two just aren't Phone Talkers. Don't pressure yourself -- that just makes the silence, if any, seem louder. Or maybe you could wait 'til later in the evening so that you can talk about your homework or TV or whatever. (Or hey, just think ahead of stuff to ask him about his day; he'll think you're really interesting.)

All of that said, well, on the one hand, you guys don't have to have big magical soul-bearing talks every night. Not even Jennifer and Brad do, I promise. But on the other, I want to make sure there is something drawing and keeping you guys together in one of those things you call a "relationship." Do you talk at school? Do you go out on the nights that you're not home not talking? Do you e-mail or IM? Do you have other stuff in common besides awkward silences? Your relationship won't last longer than your phone calls if it's not built on something else. If deep down, you don't think it is, then (and only then) perhaps you two should that kind of "talk."

Love,
Breakup Girl

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