--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Thomas started out the door then paused…" description: "\"“Thomas started out the door then paused and pivoted, looking over his shoulder. “You know, Kitty, ‘tis about time someone else started mending Nathani..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d8/amber-lynn-perry-4565_gaze_thomas-started-out-the-door-then-paused_658630.jpg" --- # Thomas started out the door then paused and pivoted… ![“Thomas started out the door then paused and pivoted, looking over his shoulder. “You know, Kitty, ‘tis about time someone else started mending Nathaniel’s clothes for him.” He winked and darted down the stairs before Kitty had time to respond, or to smother the dream of a future her heart so…” quote by Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d8/amber-lynn-perry-4565_gaze_thomas-started-out-the-door-then-paused_658630.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d8/amber-lynn-perry-4565_gaze_thomas-started-out-the-door-then-paused_658630.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d8/amber-lynn-perry-4565_gaze_thomas-started-out-the-door-then-paused_658630.jpg) > ““Thomas started out the door then paused and pivoted, looking over his shoulder. “You know, Kitty, ‘tis about time someone else started mending Nathaniel’s clothes for him.”  He winked and darted down the stairs before Kitty had time to respond, or to smother the dream of a future her heart so longed to nourish, but one that would never be.”” [Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character reflects on the fleeting chance to change another's fate, hinting at missed opportunities and unfulfilled longing. **In simple terms:** A missed chance to help and a yearning that never materializes. Key Takeaway Recognize and act on chances before they fade. Themes missed opportunity longing choice fate relationships Mood melancholic reflective Type narrative emotional When to use this quote - personal relationships - storytelling - character development Key Concepts agency regret unrealized potential Questions to Reflect On - What opportunities are you letting slip by? - How does longing shape your decisions? A Different Perspective None;life's timing can prevent action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“I believe she will be well. No need for you to leave your throng of women to care for a patient who needs only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/i-believe-she-will-be-well-no-need-for-you-to-leave-your-throng-of/) [Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/) > [“I didn’t say it just to get you to jump. I’m in love with you, Zane,” he admitted in a calm, clear voice. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-urban/i-didn-t-say-it-just-to-get-you-to-jump-i-m-in-love-with-you-zane-he/) [Madeleine Urban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-urban/) > [“You know when I said I didn't need you?" I asked. He lifted one brow. "I was so wrong.I can't find words to express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-jensen/you-know-when-i-said-i-didn-t-need-you-i-asked-he-lifted-one-brow-i/) [Melissa Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-jensen/) > [“from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. 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He stuffed the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerrelyn-sparks/damn-phineas-turned-the-big-boy-off-then-noticed-he-d-left-the-box-on/) [Kerrelyn Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerrelyn-sparks/) > [“She knew how to play him so very well. He slipped his hand around hers. "Friends," he repeated roughly. Her smile was bright enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-smith/she-knew-how-to-play-him-so-very-well-he-slipped-his-hand-around-hers/) [Kathryn Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-smith/) > [“Don’t you remember how hot we were together, Lane? God.” He takes a quick breath through clenched teeth and runs his hand down my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-a-valentine/don-t-you-remember-how-hot-we-were-together-lane-god-he-takes-a-quick/) [Michelle A. Valentine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-a-valentine/) > [“Being held by him, kissed and mastered, taken under and swept away, enthralled her in a way she—an independent woman if nothing else in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-sumner/being-held-by-him-kissed-and-mastered-taken-under-and-swept-away/) [Tracy Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-sumner/) > [“still feel the same way? Could he have changed this much on the inside too? Struggling for the right words, I opened my mouth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-wild/still-feel-the-same-way-could-he-have-changed-this-much-on-the-inside/) [Meredith Wild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-wild/) > [“Rodrigo tried to draw a deep breath, but his chest was too filled with anguish, rage and guilt. He kissed his ash-coated fingers. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-valdez/rodrigo-tried-to-draw-a-deep-breath-but-his-chest-was-too-filled-with/) [Lisa Valdez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-valdez/) > [“If it makes you feel any better, he’s been all sad doll lately too.” “What are you talking about, Chels?” Chelsea stopped walking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/if-it-makes-you-feel-any-better-he-s-been-all-sad-doll-lately-too/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“Taylor said a prayer for the man, and apologized out loud. Knowing there was nothing left to do, she turned to leave. As she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-t-ellison/taylor-said-a-prayer-for-the-man-and-apologized-out-loud-knowing/) [J.T. Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-t-ellison/) > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) ## More by Amber Lynn Perry > [“I believe she will be well. No need for you to leave your throng of women to care for a patient who needs only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/i-believe-she-will-be-well-no-need-for-you-to-leave-your-throng-of/) [Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/) > [“You are so enchanting when you’re upset.” “Enchanting?” How dare he laugh at her! How dare he toy with her feelings in such an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/you-are-so-enchanting-when-you-re-upset-enchanting-how-dare-he-laugh/) [Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/) > [“While James continued on Nathaniel squirmed, eager for this moment to find an end so he could take Kitty in his arms, lead her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/while-james-continued-on-nathaniel-squirmed-eager-for-this-moment-to/) [Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/) > [“Higley was here.” “James Higley?” Thomas’s expression went flat. “You jest.” Nathaniel shook his head. “He was here after church services.” The memory stabbed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/higley-was-here-james-higley-thomas-s-expression-went-flat-you-jest/) [Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/) > [“The trust in her voice made his confidence wobble. He had no idea what he was doing. The faith and bravery that nestled inside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/the-trust-in-her-voice-made-his-confidence-wobble-he-had-no-idea-what/) [Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/) > [“The door opened and Kitty jerked free from the remaining bands of sleep, hurling back to the dank night that surrounded her. Struggling to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/the-door-opened-and-kitty-jerked-free-from-the-remaining-bands-of/) [Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/) > [“Kitty!” His fingers held firm yet gentle, and his hazel eyes scanned her in one quick sweep. “What in heaven’s name are you doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/kitty-his-fingers-held-firm-yet-gentle-and-his-hazel-eyes-scanned-her/) [Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/) > [“She would not stand here and be punished like a schoolgirl. She whirled away from him and walked in the direction of the house.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/she-would-not-stand-here-and-be-punished-like-a-schoolgirl-she/) [Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/) > [“Thomas stood in the doorway like a chunk of useless iron, unable to take his gaze off the two women until they entered the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/thomas-stood-in-the-doorway-like-a-chunk-of-useless-iron-unable-to/) [Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/) > [“Thomas led the way, but promptly stopped and pointed at the table. “Is that carrot pudding?” The glee in his face made Kitty want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/thomas-led-the-way-but-promptly-stopped-and-pointed-at-the-table-is/) [Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/) > [“At that moment, Kitty entered the room, and all conversation ceased, bathing the room in silence. The emerald gown clung to her feminine figure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/at-that-moment-kitty-entered-the-room-and-all-conversation-ceased/) [Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/) > [“Why did dinner at the Watson’s have his insides turning upside down and then back up again? Gads. And ‘twas as if his fingers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/why-did-dinner-at-the-watson-s-have-his-insides-turning-upside-down/) [Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/) > [“You name the moment, man, and I shall usher all from the house so you may enjoy your wife, as I can plainly see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/you-name-the-moment-man-and-i-shall-usher-all-from-the-house-so-you/) [Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/) > [“What made you come back?” Kitty jerked at his sudden question. She sputtered for a moment then laughed. “What made me come back? What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/what-made-you-come-back-kitty-jerked-at-his-sudden-question-she/) [Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/) > [“Is this about Nathaniel?” Kitty’s face went from hot to scalding. She closed her eyes, unable to stand Thomas’s pointed gaze any longer. Did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/is-this-about-nathaniel-kitty-s-face-went-from-hot-to-scalding-she/) [Amber Lynn Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/) [Explore all 109 Amber Lynn Perry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/) ## More Gaze quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [“Taylor said a prayer for the man, and apologized out loud. Knowing there was nothing left to do, she turned to leave. As she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-t-ellison/taylor-said-a-prayer-for-the-man-and-apologized-out-loud-knowing/) [J.T. Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-t-ellison/) > [“If it makes you feel any better, he’s been all sad doll lately too.” “What are you talking about, Chels?” Chelsea stopped walking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/if-it-makes-you-feel-any-better-he-s-been-all-sad-doll-lately-too/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“Rodrigo tried to draw a deep breath, but his chest was too filled with anguish, rage and guilt. He kissed his ash-coated fingers. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-valdez/rodrigo-tried-to-draw-a-deep-breath-but-his-chest-was-too-filled-with/) [Lisa Valdez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-valdez/) > [“still feel the same way? Could he have changed this much on the inside too? Struggling for the right words, I opened my mouth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-wild/still-feel-the-same-way-could-he-have-changed-this-much-on-the-inside/) [Meredith Wild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-wild/) > [“Being held by him, kissed and mastered, taken under and swept away, enthralled her in a way she—an independent woman if nothing else in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-sumner/being-held-by-him-kissed-and-mastered-taken-under-and-swept-away/) [Tracy Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-sumner/) > [“Don’t you remember how hot we were together, Lane? God.” He takes a quick breath through clenched teeth and runs his hand down my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-a-valentine/don-t-you-remember-how-hot-we-were-together-lane-god-he-takes-a-quick/) [Michelle A. Valentine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-a-valentine/) > [“She knew how to play him so very well. He slipped his hand around hers. "Friends," he repeated roughly. Her smile was bright enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-smith/she-knew-how-to-play-him-so-very-well-he-slipped-his-hand-around-hers/) [Kathryn Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-smith/) > [“Damn.” Phineas turned the Big Boy off, then noticed he’d left the box on the bed. Damn, had Zoltan seen it? He stuffed the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerrelyn-sparks/damn-phineas-turned-the-big-boy-off-then-noticed-he-d-left-the-box-on/) [Kerrelyn Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerrelyn-sparks/) > [“Now you," Grandma barks at him. "Yes, you, the invisible truck driver," she added, giving me a wicked grin. "Go stand next to Rose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/now-you-grandma-barks-at-him-yes-you-the-invisible-truck-driver-she/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [His fingertips slid down from my face, lightly stroking the line of my neck, down toward my shoulder. Everywhere he touched, a trail of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/his-fingertips-slid-down-from-my-face-lightly-stroking-the-line-of-my/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. He could smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emery-lee/from-the-devil-you-know-she-wanted-him-too-he-could-see-it-in-the/) [Emery Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emery-lee/) > [“You know when I said I didn't need you?" I asked. He lifted one brow. 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What the devil was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/this-explains-so-much-she-said-clucking-her-tongue-in-mother-hen/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) Browse all 15,087 Gaze quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Thomas started out the door then paused and pivoted, looking over his shoulder. “You know, Kitty, ‘tis about time someone else started mending Nathaniel’s clothes for him.”  He winked and darted down the stairs before Kitty had time to respond, or to smother the dream of a future her heart so longed to nourish, but one that would never be.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Amber Lynn Perry" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/thomas-started-out-the-door-then-paused-and-pivoted-looking-over-his/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Gaze" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/thomas-started-out-the-door-then-paused-and-pivoted-looking-over-his/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d8/amber-lynn-perry-4565_gaze_thomas-started-out-the-door-then-paused_658630.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d8/amber-lynn-perry-4565_gaze_thomas-started-out-the-door-then-paused_658630.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d8/amber-lynn-perry-4565_gaze_thomas-started-out-the-door-then-paused_658630.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Thomas started out the door then paused and pivoted, looking over his shoulder. “You know, Kitty, ‘tis about…” — Amber Lynn Perry", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Amber Lynn Perry", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-perry/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Thomas started out the door then...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/thomas-started-out-the-door-then-paused-and-pivoted-looking-over-his/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-perry/thomas-started-out-the-door-then-paused-and-pivoted-looking-over-his/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```