Bizarre phone calls

Sometimes you pick up the phone, and then 20 seconds into the conversation you wish you hadn't. Have just finished 'talking' to somebody, and it was like listening to a record that is stuck in a groove. Very hard. Not sure what I am expected to do, I can't wave a magic wand and make it all hunky dory, but on the other hand I can't just put the phone down either. So, I am afraid I take the cowards way out, by not saying very much, letting her ramble on an on, repeating the same few things time after time, in some convoluted pattern that only she understands and comprehends, until she eventually says goodbye and puts the phone down. I then breathe a sigh of relief and wonder which one of my sisters or brothers will be the next one to get the phone call...