MWG, I cannot believe that you didn't talk to him when you had all those hours alone together but waited til he was leaving!and then didn't get the chance.

I guess you have your reasons.

Given the huge amount of debt he is in I should think he is desperate to get a tax refund.

I have said this before but I would not discuss things with son or take his advice. I know it will be him (son) that brought it up. Your H has to sort out his relationship with his kids and they have to tell him if it bothers them if he replies or not to texts.
That is not what you really need to talk to him about.
Hope today goes better.