Originally Posted by
thequest 
You try to avoid his 'life' but he seems to go out of the way to tell you what's going and/or live it with him. It's like he wants to be the center of attention. But he also gives you his stories of whoa in an attempt to butter you up for money.
Stop making him the center of attention. Heck, consider not listening, just walk away or tell him u you have to run if you are on the phone with him when he goes off on one of his tangents. Once you resolve to not give him another cent, it won't matter what stories he spews.
No is a complete sentence. When you give someone like this a reason, they will use that reason to negotiate.
If she is using him, that's between them. No telling what's going on with the kid. It's not your kid or business, is it?