"John Arthur Abrams."
Artie glances out as he wheels across the stage. He sees his mother's back, shoulders heaving, as she runs out of the room. Artie feels his heart drop. He knows he is responsible for his mother's breakdown, both this recent one, and the more lasting depression which has plagued her life since his accident.
Its all Artie can do to stay strong, though, when he sees his father. Even though John Abrams is trying to hide it, Artie notices his father secretly swiping at his eyes. Artie's father has always been the backbone of the family, and Artie isn't sure he can stand to watch his father cry.
He knows his parents never expected to see this day. Artie was a premie, and his birth was a little more complicated than Artie's mother had ever admitted. He had only heard the story second hand his sophomore year, when his parents had been discussing Quinn's pregnancy.
Things were fine, until the accident. It had shattered his over-protective mother's world. That she was the one driving, and the one responsible, was something for which she could never forget.
He knew that his mother was happy to see him graduate, but that she could barely watch. His therapist had warned about the problem, but he still feels unprepared.
But, Artie is Artie, so he plasters a smile on his face, and wheels across the stage to get his diploma. Later, when he is back behind the curtain, out of sight, he cries.
Artie knows they're getting close, so he schools his face and pulls himself together.
"Quinn Elizabeth Fabray."
Artie watches the beautiful blonde as she walked across the stage. His heart leaps … and so does something below his injury line. Quinn's graduation is almost as sweet as his own. Artie knows this, even if Quinn doesn't. He is proud of her, in awe of her, impressed beyond words.
Artie can't imagine doing everything Quinn had done in the past three years. First she got pregnant, then she got kicked out of her home. Artie watched as Quinn bounced from place to place. She started with the Hudson's house, bounced between Santana and Brittany, spent a tense few months with Puck, and finally ended up with Mercedes.
Artie knows the Joneses. Dr. Jones has been his family's dentist since he was a little boy. He came to the hospital to clean Artie's teeth after the accident. Later, Mr. Jones built a ramp so Artie could get into their house during sophomore year.
Artie remembered how he and Tina would go over and watch movies. While Mr. Chang, Tina's dad and the head physical therapist at Lima General was pretty good about putting in a ramp. Mr. Jones was almost as quick.
Artie remembers how he and Tina went over the weekend before regionals. The Muppet Babies, as Kurt had named them, had begun gathering every weekend. Sometimes they were joined by other friends, but the core four of them were always together. Finn came once or twice with Kurt, as did Brittany. Mike Chang and Matt made an appearance as well.
The four alternated their movie selections. Mercedes liked romantic comedies and girl power movies. Artie had his man crush on Matt Damon and Brad Pitt. Kurt loved old Hollywood, and Tina had a thing for screwball comedies. It was Tina's turn to pick, and while Artie had wheedled for Inglorious Bastards, but Tina had picked Rat Race.
Quinn had just moved in with the Joneses. She was eight months pregnant, and Artie found her mesmerizing. It was strange to watch her unwind as Quinn giggled as much as Tina. It had made Artie wish he could hug Quinn, and tell her it was okay to relax.