(((jks))) You don't have to be his friend. You can be friendly without being his friend. Tell him you don't want to hear his stories. My guess would be he's trying to normalize this as it makes it easier on him. It's not your job to make his life easier.

It is your job to keep busy while your kids are gone. Make plans to do something fun, that you'll look forward to. Take a class, go to a movie, volunteer somewhere.

You can do this.

Me 57/H 58
M36 S 2.5yrs R 12/13

Let me give up the need to know why things happen as they do.
I will never know and constant wondering is constant suffering.
Caroline Myss