Episode Report Card Niki: A+ | 2 USERS: A+ YOU GRADE IT Chance Of A Lifetime
By Niki | Season 3 | Episode 19 | Aired on 04.14.2002
Cut to Karen's place, as she hobbles to answer the door. She finds Henry there, and expresses her surprise. She's not exactly pleasantly surprised, either. Henry leans against the door frame and says he was a little worried because she missed her session that day. Karen stammers that she left a message. "The message didn't say why," he says, raising his eyebrows pointedly. Karen lamely says that she was busy. "So, what are you, too busy to learn how to walk now?" he challenges. Karen doesn't appreciate the attitude. She says that if he wants to "browbeat" her, he'll have to wait for her next session. I doubt that a "browbeating" is what Henry's looking to give her. Well, what do you know. Henry agrees, saying he doesn't "want to do that, and [she] knows[s]" it. She's like a deer in headlights. After a few seconds, she regains enough composure to turn wordlessly from the door and take a few steps inside. Henry follows.
Karen's voice is husky when she asks why he came over. Henry explains that, in his job, he's sees people when they're the most vulnerable, and they can't hide who they really are. Karen is suddenly engrossed by her hardwood flooring. Henry starts to say what he's seen in her, but cuts himself off, growing impatient with his own faltering. He blurts that he doesn't think he should be her physical therapist anymore. Karen senses where he's heading, and says his name pleadingly, wanting him to stop. Henry says that he really wanted to kiss her at the ballpark the other day, and he thinks she wanted him to. Karen looks like she's about to cop to it, but Henry just plows ahead, too agitated to stop: "We didn't kiss. We didn't. Why not?" The ass-pole musters enough strength to get in a good jab, and Karen says she can't do this. "What, you can't do this? Or you can't talk about doing this?" Henry demands. "E-either. Neither. Both!" Karen stammers. He asks if she wants him to leave. Karen looks torn. Henry takes a couple steps toward her, asking, "Karen, do you think in eight years of doing this, in doing my job, that I've ever been in this situation before?" Uncertainly, Karen says yes. Henry says no. He asks if she realizes how hard he's had to restrain himself from feeling anything for her "but the annoyance [she] seem[s] to cause [him] every time [he] has to kick [her] butt." He asks, "Do you have any idea how stupid it is for me to even think about getting involved with a client who's depressed, who's white, not to mention whose life is a mess?" Karen weakly tells him to shut up. Henry says he has been. He looks at her searchingly, and Karen finds it hard to meet his gaze. She admits that her life is a mess, and says that he's just going to make it worse. He touches her cheek and whispers, "No. No, see, I think your life is just beginning." She clings to the words, tearing up and taking a shuddering breath. Henry closes his eyes and leans toward her. Before they can kiss, the front door bangs open and Eli and Jessie barge in. They stop short, taking in the scene. After a second, they say hi. They can hardly keep the knowing smirks off their faces. Jessie grabs Eli's arm, and they fudge that they're going to get something to eat in the kitchen. Karen's chagrined, while Henry chuckles. She admonishes him that it's not funny. He insists, "Oh, it's kind of funny." Karen sighs and looks troubled. She shakes her head and hoarsely says that she can't do this: "Maybe I even want to, but I can't. I'm sorry." Henry is suddenly somber. With a disappointed nod, he mutters, "Ah, Karen," and lets himself out. Damn that ass-pole!
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