Oi vey!

First, *stop* telling him anything about trips or travels. What he doesn't know, won't hurt him. Next time, you'll know better.

Second - push the ball back to his side of the table. Food? Call the grocery store and have it delivered, otherwise, you don't know what to tell him. You can't do it. He'll have to figure out something else.

He's not been feeling well? Call a DOCTOR and make an appointment.

His anxiety? "I'm sorry you feel that way. Anyway..." - and change the subject.

And that whole convoluted mess about your job - tell him ONLY, "It's sorted." "It's handled." "I've got this." - and nothing more, including not being paid, or any of the other details regarding whether you're the boss or the client. Shut that stuff DOWN and refuse to answer with anything other than what I wrote in the opening sentence of this paragraph.
I'd also cut down on your monthly visits to ONE, and call *once a week, if that.*

You want him to see you as useless and unreliable, so he'll go bug somebody else.

Calling every day from the US? I'm glad you see how ridiculous that is. You're not a teenager, reporting in from your class trip!

Calling as soon as you land? NO!

My DH travels a lot, and you know how I know the plane landed safely? I look it up, online.

I wouldn't call him *at all* - and I'd turn your phone OFF, and leave it at the hotel. It sounds like you need a holiday from your electronic collar and leash, too.

And you're *definitely* on the right track with being "ill" or in the hospital - there's nothing you can do but get in the way of the *trained professionals* - so go on your trip and have a good time!

You're *getting there* - your putting up boundaries, and once those work, you're going to want to keep putting up *more* boundaries, because it frees you from his tentacles.

The first few times we say no, and the sky doesn't fall and the world doesn't end are *powerful* because we realize we DO have the ability to take back our lives.

I hope your trip is *amazing* - and your phone stays in a drawer, at the hotel.
And I'm *really* hoping you gave him that fake number.
