Sounds like you may have found a place (the second one) that has what you are looking for...I say go with it
As an aside I rarely, if ever, inquire after students who have been absent, even long time students. It's something I got from my tai chi instructor (not saying it's right or wrong just that it is). People come and go for many reasons. If they want me to know they'll be gone, they'll tell me. If they want me to know why they'll be gone, they'll tell me. Either way my main concern is for the people who show up. I would say that it's not the dojo's responsibility to call you to find out where you've been, it's the students responsibility to call the dojo and inform whoever's in charge that they'll be absent.
Just my thoughts,
Bronson