It sounds like E is heartbroken, and that's all he can think about right now (obviously) but unfortunatly he's not realize how it's affecting your husband and you. I would just sit down with him and talk with him so he knows why you guys can't talk to him every 5mins about the situation. Maybe he has no idea
Since you guys are really close, I'm sure he'll understand, just don't be mean about it because he's already vulnerable.