> I can't speak for Zorra, but to me, no, jadeite's situation isn't an
> affair. To me, it was a friendship, crush, whatever. It only crossed
> the line when she and her friend discussed those feelings with each
> other and at that point, they crossed over into an inappropriate
> intimacy with each other. Some might call that an emotional affair,
> but to me, the word "affair" carries a huge connotation of betrayal
> and cheating, and I just don't see where she's done that.

Do you acknowledge a beast called "emotional affair" at all? If so, what would it be? If you don't, then you are objecting to a term that has no meaning to you.

> Inappropriate, yes. But jadeite knows that and she stepped back, and
> not just because her friend didn't want to take things further.
>
> To me, "affair" and "cheating" are interchangeable. I just don't see
> that she did either of those things. I think she was lonely,
> neglected, and she let the attentions of a seemingly caring man get
> the better of her for awhile. And yes, it was inappropriate and she
> knows that.

Yes, and it's good that she is working to fix the problems of the marriage. I am not sure if she would object to the term "emotional affair" to describe her situation though.

This must means that I don't have the same kind of horrific reaction to the mere use of the word "affair" as some -- hmmmm wonder what that says about me. :-)