Liz, I know that you are terrified of confrontation with your husband an d prefer to take a
passive stance. I hope that you will be remaining aggressively proactive for your own good--like following through with the lawyer, making specific plans for your future (future employment, etc.). You don't want to get boonschwaggled!!
I've got a feeling that more may be going on in the background than he is saying---esp. with his good mood and the plans for a longer time away from the home.
You may be "on your own" sooner that you had counted on.
Forewarned is forearmed.
dandylion