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Dear Breakup Girl,

Is age "just" a number? I am a 20-year-old highly infatuated with a 13 year old...I know that sounds overboard...but it's true. He's had a crush on me for 2 years and the feelings are mutual on one side of the coin, but on the other he's dubbed "jail bait" and I don't want to risk jeopardizing what respect we have for one another by crossing that line...what 's a girl to do? I can't seem to override what feelings I have inside, but in the back of my mind I know it's not right in the public eye...I'd appreciate any advice you have to pass on, perhaps even enlighten me in my predicament...thank you for listening.

-- Sweet

Dear Sweet,

Yes, "the public eye" is often closed and unseeing, unconnected to the public brain. Society is indeed far too intolerant of far too many things. But sometimes, Sweet, "the public eye" is sharp. It does indeed look suspiciously -- and rightly so -- on things like, say, Republicans busting Clinton. And likewise, on grownups dating children. It's not about 7 years, Sweet, it's about which 7. As our very own Belleruth says: "He is a baby. Do not go there. Pursue diversions with playmates your own age. And if you keep obsessing about the bambino, please oh please seek professional help." We want you to be with someone you can talk to, really talk to, who supports you, who gets your life, who loves you as an equal. We want your displays of affection to be healthy -- and public.

Love,
BG & BR

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