Sit with the discomfort! You're one of the pillars of strength on this board for me, sit like it's your job!
All kidding aside, it makes sense that his nearness, however brief, would dredge up old responses. Like muscle memory. It will probably take a lot of times fighting that initial auto-response, but it will get easier with time. You got this.
Also, just like his calls, you don't have to answer his mother's either. Especially when you're feeling especially vulnerable. Lord knows they'll all be around tomorrow or next week should you suddenly decide you need your feelings to be completely disregarded.
