Jackie, You're not pathetic you're a DB warrior. You went out on a limb and you got a "no." Yeah, balancing car seats on luggage sounds more like a pain in the @$$ than a fun vacation to me, but he's at least given his explanation for why he's sending all of the mixed signals. It may not be reality, but it's his version, so just let him have his version for now.
You also know that it isn't because he feels un-needed. Do let him go. Let him do his thing. Let him find out what this "freedom" thing is like and that you will manage just fine. Show him how you're going to thrive, not just survive. Many months from now he may realize that you look better than freedom looked in the brochures. You'll be fine either way. Roar, Lions! Roar! --z
