Edited my previous reply to more accurately communicate what I meant. Anyway, I really don’t believe that talking to someone and considering extramarital sex is something that is in any way wrong. And besides, it’s not like they did anything.
Could hardly blame George though. After years of psychological abuse he deserves someone who is going to appreciate him and try and make him feel good.
This is why George and Brenda felt guilty. Sexual infidelity is one thing, and really isn’t a big deal when it comes to hard feelings on the side of the one who does the infidelity. Emotional infidelity is something altogether. George doesn’t get any sort of support from his spouse, and after many years of being let down one could hardly fault him for wanting to find that in someone else’s arms.
Mary is doing the same thing. Perhaps she hasn’t discussed having sexual intercourse with Rob, but she is certainly flirting, fantasizing and putting herself in situations that could lead to acting on those.
George does try in his marriage. He expresses his discontent with their relationship and does things to try and improve it. Mary does not. Mary constantly puts him down and does things that benefit her and her needs, rather than think about George and what would be good for him or them both.
But yes, “thinking about” wasn’t the right term.
And again, if this is the only thing you can think of that George has done wrong, then he’s doing a damn good job. The only other thing I can think of that I would disagree with him on would be kicking Georgie out for a short time when Georgie decided to drop out of school.
I’ll include references:
Unforgiveness Motivations in Romantic Relationships Experiencing Infidelity