---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I let her through. She checked Derek's…"
description: "\"I let her through. She checked Derek's pulse and his breathing, saying both seemed okay, then leaned down to his face. \"Nothing weird on his breath. Sm..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/797/kelley-armstrong-581_breathing_i-let-her-through-she-checked-derek-s-pu_1194354.png"
---

#  I let her through. She checked Derek's pulse and his…

![“I let her through. She checked Derek's pulse and his breathing, saying both seemed okay, then leaned down to his face. &quot;Nothing weird on his breath. Smells . . . like toothpaste.&quot; Derek's eyes opened, and the first thing he saw was Tori's face inches from his. He jumped and let out an oath. Simon…” quote by Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/797/kelley-armstrong-581_breathing_i-let-her-through-she-checked-derek-s-pu_1194354.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/797/kelley-armstrong-581_breathing_i-let-her-through-she-checked-derek-s-pu_1194354.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/797/kelley-armstrong-581_breathing_i-let-her-through-she-checked-derek-s-pu_1194354.png)

> “I let her through. She checked Derek's pulse and his breathing, saying both seemed okay, then leaned down to his face. "Nothing weird on his breath. Smells . . . like toothpaste." Derek's eyes opened, and the first thing he saw was Tori's face inches from his. He jumped and let out an oath. Simon cracked up. I madly motioned for him to be quiet. "Are you okay?" I asked Derek. "He is now," Simon said. "After Tori jump-started his heart.”

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

## 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 revives a dying person using an improvised technique, highlighting quick thinking and the thin line between life and death.

**In simple terms:** Quick action saved a life.

Key Takeaway

Act decisively in emergencies.

Themes

courage life death friendship

Mood

tense hopeful

Type

dramatic inspirational

When to use this quote

- medical emergencies
- friend rescues
- high‑stress situations

Key Concepts

first aid emergency response human resilience

Questions to Reflect On

- How would you react in a sudden medical crisis?
- What skills can you practice to stay prepared?

A Different Perspective

Success depends on calmness and skill under pressure.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Asked Derek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asked-derek-3025621/) [Breathing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathing/) [Breathing Saying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathing-saying-3556240/) [Checked Derek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/checked-derek-3556239/) [Eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye/) [Eyes Open](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eyes-open/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Inches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inches/) [Oath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oath/) [Oath Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oath-simon-3556238/) [Okay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/okay/) [Pulse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pulse/) [Quiet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quiet/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Saws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saws/) [Smell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smell/) [Started Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/started-heart-3556237/) [Toothpaste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toothpaste/)

## Related quotes

> [Hip-Hop started out in the heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauryn-hill/hip-hop-started-out-in-the-heart/)

[Lauryn Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauryn-hill/)

> [“Where are we going?” Desandra asked. “We’re going to Blue Ribbon Stables,” I said. “It’s the closest place to rent a horse. “Why?” Desandra…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/where-are-we-going-desandra-asked-we-re-going-to-blue-ribbon-stables/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [“I felt that same tingly sensation begin in my hand, up my arm, to my chest and it was as if it jump-started my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-l-ross/i-felt-that-same-tingly-sensation-begin-in-my-hand-up-my-arm-to-my/)

[S.L. Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-l-ross/)

> [“So back to my question: what are you doing here?” Maia asked. Derek sighed, reached into his pocket and handed her a smartphone. “Viktor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-paige/so-back-to-my-question-what-are-you-doing-here-maia-asked-derek/)

[Victoria Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-paige/)

> [That transparency is important. Look at what's inside products and seek out those that contain natural, plant-based ingredients - from toothpaste to cosmetics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-heyman-uliano/that-transparency-is-important-look-at-what-s-inside-products-and/)

[Sophie Heyman Uliano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-heyman-uliano/)

> [No gunfire, famine, or flies. Just lots of toothpaste, gardening and people stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/no-gunfire-famine-or-flies-just-lots-of-toothpaste-gardening-and/)

[Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/)

> [I have a bag with a toothbrush and toothpaste and all the things I might need during the day. I call the bag my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-linney/i-have-a-bag-with-a-toothbrush-and-toothpaste-and-all-the-things-i/)

[Laura Linney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-linney/)

> [I'm sorry, but I can't imagine being an American icon! It would be pretty difficult to look at your face in the mirror and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-pauley/i-m-sorry-but-i-can-t-imagine-being-an-american-icon-it-would-be/)

[Jane Pauley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-pauley/)

> [There seems to be a common strain of miserliness in the American people when it comes to throwing away toothpaste tubes which havea little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-benchley/there-seems-to-be-a-common-strain-of-miserliness-in-the-american/)

[Robert Benchley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-benchley/)

> [The elections are run by the same industries that sell toothpaste on television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-elections-are-run-by-the-same-industries-that-sell-toothpaste-on/)

[Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/)

> [“Why must some of us deliberate between brands of toothpaste while others deliberate between damp dirt and bone dust to quiet the fire of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/why-must-some-of-us-deliberate-between-brands-of-toothpaste-while/)

[Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/)

> [I've got a grocery bill at the end of every month.Our toothpaste, our orange juice, that all gets paid. But I - it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-ve-got-a-grocery-bill-at-the-end-of-every-month-our-toothpaste-our/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [Communists all seem to wear small caps, a look I consider better suited to tubes of toothpaste than to people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/communists-all-seem-to-wear-small-caps-a-look-i-consider-better/)

[Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/)

> [Inflation is like toothpaste. Once it's out, you can hardly get it back in again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-otto-pohl/inflation-is-like-toothpaste-once-it-s-out-you-can-hardly-get-it-back/)

[Karl Otto Pohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-otto-pohl/)

> [Posing the question: does the god of love use underarm deodorant, vaginal spray and fluoride toothpaste?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/posing-the-question-does-the-god-of-love-use-underarm-deodorant/)

[Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/)

## More by Kelley Armstrong

> [So," I said. "Seems you're going to be stuck with me for a while." He smiled. A real smile that lit up his whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/so-i-said-seems-you-re-going-to-be-stuck-with-me-for-a-while-he/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [“He turned my way, and I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't notice for a second. Then I realized I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/he-turned-my-way-and-i-was-so-engrossed-in-my-thoughts-that-i-didn-t/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [when times are tough, the weak bail and the tough get creative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/when-times-are-tough-the-weak-bail-and-the-tough-get-creative/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [Nuh-uh. No deals with the devil. I’ve learned my lesson on that one. ~Jaime Vegas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/nuh-uh-no-deals-with-the-devil-i-ve-learned-my-lesson-on-that-one/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [“Another night then,' Mom said. 'Maybe on the weekend we can have a barbecue and invite your sister.' 'Or,' I said turning to Rafe,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/another-night-then-mom-said-maybe-on-the-weekend-we-can-have-a/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [Believe me, I have better things to do than sabotage your friendships. No one else's world revolves around you, Cassandra." -Paige to Cassandra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/believe-me-i-have-better-things-to-do-than-sabotage-your-friendships/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [Reviews are great. I can read negative reviews and say, 'You know that point they made... they were dead on.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/reviews-are-great-i-can-read-negative-reviews-and-say-you-know-that/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [When a series is doing well, it's very tempting to keep writing it, even when the creative well is drying up. It's tempting because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/when-a-series-is-doing-well-it-s-very-tempting-to-keep-writing-it/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [You bat your baby blues at tall, dark, and gruesome, and next thing you know, he's trailing you like a lost puppy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/you-bat-your-baby-blues-at-tall-dark-and-gruesome-and-next-thing-you/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [With no chance to take off, I had to play my role, searching for the rendezvous spot, which gave me the excuse to look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/with-no-chance-to-take-off-i-had-to-play-my-role-searching-for-the/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [When I glanced at the chair, it started to shake. I’d like to think it was scared of me, but I rarely invoked that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/when-i-glanced-at-the-chair-it-started-to-shake-i-d-like-to-think-it/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [“Nonsense, Chloe. I certainly hope you aren't afraid of cemeteries" "Um, no" Tori said. "It's the bodies buried in them that worry her. Uh,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/nonsense-chloe-i-certainly-hope-you-aren-t-afraid-of-cemeteries-um-no/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [I was...a journalist...though my typical beat was freelancing articles on Canadian politics, which never included any mention of demonic phenomena, though it might explain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/i-was-a-journalist-though-my-typical-beat-was-freelancing-articles-on/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [I found something" Simon said as he walked in. He whipped out an old-fashioned key from his pocket and grinned at me. "It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/i-found-something-simon-said-as-he-walked-in-he-whipped-out-an-old/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [“He laughed and tugged me down in a kiss. Then, lips still close enough to feel them tickle mine, he said, "You know this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/he-laughed-and-tugged-me-down-in-a-kiss-then-lips-still-close-enough/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

[Explore all 458 Kelley Armstrong quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

## More Breathing quotes

> [A thing of beauty is a joy for ever;It's loveliness increase;it will never pass into nothingness;but still will keep a bower quiet for us,and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keats/a-thing-of-beauty-is-a-joy-for-ever-it-s-loveliness-increase-it-will/)

[John Keats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keats/)

> [“As long as we’re breathing, we have a chance to start over and build a stable future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-ha-campbell/as-long-as-we-re-breathing-we-have-a-chance-to-start-over-and-build-a/)

[Kim Ha Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-ha-campbell/)

> [People don't think much about breathing. Of all the things we take for granted, breathing has to be number one - even though it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/people-don-t-think-much-about-breathing-of-all-the-things-we-take-for/)

[Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/)

> [Aging is like enlightenment at gunpoint. Before I had cancer, I lived my life for my art. After I had cancer, I lived my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-halprin/aging-is-like-enlightenment-at-gunpoint-before-i-had-cancer-i-lived/)

[Anna Halprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-halprin/)

> [I wish," Jared began, and stopped, breathing in. "Do you remember how you used to believe I wasn't real? Sometimes I wish that was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/i-wish-jared-began-and-stopped-breathing-in-do-you-remember-how-you/)

[Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/)

> [The still affection of the heart Became an outward breathing type, That into stillness past again, And left a want unknown before; Although the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/the-still-affection-of-the-heart-became-an-outward-breathing-type/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [Breathing is give(carbon dioxide) and take(oxygen), such is life, find balance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-williams/breathing-is-give-carbon-dioxide-and-take-oxygen-such-is-life-find/)

[Marcel Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-williams/)

> [I'll probably be writing as long as I'm breathing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kristofferson/i-ll-probably-be-writing-as-long-as-i-m-breathing/)

[Kris Kristofferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kristofferson/)

> [For me writing is like breathing. I could not live without breathing and I could not live without writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-neruda/for-me-writing-is-like-breathing-i-could-not-live-without-breathing/)

[Pablo Neruda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-neruda/)

> [I’m in, Cat. I’d never leave you. Especially when you’ve got death breathing down your neck.” “Very funny,” I retorted, since Bones was inches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/i-m-in-cat-i-d-never-leave-you-especially-when-you-ve-got-death/)

[Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/)

> [Splutter, splutter. Yes - we're off - we're rising. But why start off with an engine like that? But it smooths out now, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/splutter-splutter-yes-we-re-off-we-re-rising-but-why-start-off-with/)

[Anne Morrow Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/)

> [He’d moved toward me again. His hands released mine and moved to my waist, and I noticed I wasn’t the only one breathing heavily.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/he-d-moved-toward-me-again-his-hands-released-mine-and-moved-to-my/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [My worry is that opera will become an historic art form as opposed to a living, breathing thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/my-worry-is-that-opera-will-become-an-historic-art-form-as-opposed-to/)

[Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/)

> [I'm really fascinated and you know I've been wondering about that usage of language, various breathing techniques and why in these practices language is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-acker/i-m-really-fascinated-and-you-know-i-ve-been-wondering-about-that/)

[Kathy Acker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-acker/)

> [I’m exactly right for you, Bella. It would have been effortless for us — comfortable, easy as breathing. I was the natural path your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/i-m-exactly-right-for-you-bella-it-would-have-been-effortless-for-us/)

[Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/)

[Browse all 1,666 Breathing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathing/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I let her through. She checked Derek's pulse and his breathing, saying both seemed okay, then leaned down to his face. \"Nothing weird on his breath. Smells . . . like toothpaste.\" Derek's eyes opened, and the first thing he saw was Tori's face inches from his. He jumped and let out an oath. Simon cracked up. I madly motioned for him to be quiet. \"Are you okay?\" I asked Derek. \"He is now,\" Simon said. \"After Tori jump-started his heart.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Kelley Armstrong"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/i-let-her-through-she-checked-derek-s-pulse-and-his-breathing-saying/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Breathing"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/i-let-her-through-she-checked-derek-s-pulse-and-his-breathing-saying/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/797/kelley-armstrong-581_breathing_i-let-her-through-she-checked-derek-s-pu_1194354.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/797/kelley-armstrong-581_breathing_i-let-her-through-she-checked-derek-s-pu_1194354.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/797/kelley-armstrong-581_breathing_i-let-her-through-she-checked-derek-s-pu_1194354.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I let her through. She checked Derek's pulse and his breathing, saying both seemed okay, then leaned down to…” — Kelley Armstrong",
                "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": "Kelley Armstrong",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I let her through. She checked...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/i-let-her-through-she-checked-derek-s-pulse-and-his-breathing-saying/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/i-let-her-through-she-checked-derek-s-pulse-and-his-breathing-saying/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
