I'm going to talk in bullets here to try to stop myself from saying too much. I know I'm being confusing about my situation, but I'm trying to be more general as I got too specific previously.
1. I too like to see things moving, to wrap them up, to get them done. The situation with the MLCer is not one where that will work.
2. You are still thinking this is about you ("can stop caring in such a dramatic way."). It has nothing to do with you. This is him trying to figure out how to be happy.
3. To get the case to move forward he has to pay a small fee but even though a long time has gone by, he hasn't paid it. If he doesn't pay it, the case will be dismissed. Simultaneously, he is showing some clingy and desperate behaviors.
4. I think he is still in replay. By withdrawal I mean he pulled away more than he had before. He is now cycling back in (with me subtly) and with them overtly.
5. For now, I think you just need to work on letting go. If you see him or hear from him, make your only job to be someone who isn't expecting anything from him and does not need him to see that you are upset. See how that goes.
