Axw likes to play the "hey, let's be friends and chit chat" card most of the time. She lives in a reality of her own making, alcohol induced of course.
I no longer accept people with her level of denial, of basic reality, as friends. It messes with my own sense of self, kind of like enabling. She's in la la land, I understand why, but I don't have to be there with her.
So I'm not rude, just mater of fact, and when the conversation begins wander from kid stuff, I just excuse myself.
I also would add, that if you don't want to "meet" with him to placate whatever HIS feelings are, don't. You don't owe him anything, that ship has sailed. Too bad. He'll get over it, or not.
I also don't return multiple phone calls a week, once a week contact is plenty for me.
Thanks and God bless us all,
Coyote