1. Why Lennie is dependent on George I think is he looks up to him. He sees George as a role model and wants to be like him. They travel together and Lennie tries not to be so stupid to impress George but ends up being himself. I think he thinks George is smart and a person he can rely on the most. He also probably needs "family" support because he probably has no one to stay with, so he stays with George.
2. I think because he too needs someone to stay with and talk to. George is probably right, he could make a good living and get a girlfriend, but he stays with Lennie to maybe feel superior because he can control Lennie easily. But back to my "family" theory, he most likely needs some he knows, can talk to, to relieve stress, and someone to work with. Overall, he stays with Lennie to feel like he has a family and a friend he can rely on.
