Gravity Falls Thoughts: Shermie, the Vietnam War, and Math
I remember waaay back when I was on a roll with my Youtube videos, one of them had me looking into the possibility of characters in Hazbin Hotel being involved in either world wars plus the Vietnam War.
Now, I kinda want to do the same with the Pines Bros, mostly with Shermie, and see if it's plausible
This is under the assumption that the baby that Caryn was holding was her grandchild and it's Shermie's kid, so that would make Shermie older. By how much? I'd say at least maybe 4~5 years.
Here's where the math comes in. (I'm also a history nerd)
Considering the Stans were in their senior year when Stan got kicked out, that would've made them 17~18 years old at the time. 40 years later, in 2012, they'd be 57~58. So, by this logic, the Stans (well, Ford, really) graduated in 1972. This was during a time when then president Richard Nixon started to, little by little, withdraw US soldiers from Vietnam, which I think started in 1971. It was hard looking for the date. Anyone with better knowledge, please help a girl out and correct me.
Side Note: The revelations of the Stans actual age does indeed help answer the question if Shermie was the baby or not. With that 18 year difference, that would've made Shermie 40 in 2012 if he was the baby. That is an impossible age of a grandfather of two twelve year olds.
So, about a year before Ford graduated. I'd imagine that at this point, the US military wasn't looking for new soldiers to be put into draft (if they would've accepted Ford).
Would Shermie have been a part of the war? There were two draft lotteries conducted that typically chooses men between ages 19~25 (men born between 1944 and 1950) in the Selective Service law. This happened in the December of 1969.
The Stans were born in 1954, so that would mean Shermie was born in either 1949 or 1950. Shermie would have been eligible for the war and may have even been drafted if his birthday was one of the lotteries pulled.
As for the birth of his kid (likely son), I'd say he was likely conceived when Shermie was withdrew from Vietnam in 1971, no doubt happy to see his wife again after so long (maybe he was drafted not long after getting married).
With this fact, I can't help but place parallels between Shermie and Filbrick. Filbrick, no doubt, was in WW2, which ended in 1945 (4~5 years before Shermie's birth). Given my own thoughts on the matter, of how Filbrick treated his sons due to his experience in war, Shermie probably had fears where he was scared that he was gonna be like his father and made great promises to prevent that for his son.
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Foster Ford AU prompt: little Ford interacting with Shermie? Alternately, him interacting with a Mcgucket sibling.
I went a bit nuts writing this. It's so much longer than I planned, but I just had to put in as much Quality Shermie Content as I could. Enjoy.
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“Hey, Ford.” Ford looked up from the catnip mouse he was using to play with Dr. Whiskers. Stan stood before him, grinning. “Wanna go get donuts?” Immediately, Ford’s stomach rumbled. Stan laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Ford stood and threw the catnip mouse. Dr. Whiskers pounced on it eagerly, tail twitching with excitement.
“Is Aunt Angie coming with us?” he asked, following Stan to the front door. Stan shook his head.
“She’s got to work on her thesis. But we’ll bring her a donut back,” Stan said. Ford nodded. “Need help with your shoes?”
“They’re Velcro, so, no,” Ford mumbled, slipping on his sneakers. To his dismay, he was struggling with tying shoes properly, which led to favoring those without laces until his coordination became better.
“All right. If you ever wanna wear the ones you’ve gotta tie, I’ll help you,” Stan said. “Ford and I are heading out, Ang!” he called.
“Have fun!” Angie shouted back from the study she was working in. Stan held the door open for Ford. The two exited the house. Ford went to the Stanleymobile, but Stan shook his head.
“Nah, we’re not driving there,” he said. “There’s a great kosher bakery just around the corner. We’re gonna walk.”
“Oh. Okay.” Ford went back to Stan’s side. Stan raised an eyebrow at him. Reluctantly, Ford held out his hand for Stan to hold. The two then began to walk down the street. Stan and Angie lived in a much nicer neighborhood than the one Stan and Ford grew up in. The houses were tidy, the yards had picket fences, and there wasn’t a sickening smell when the wind blew just right. Stan nodded at various neighbors, asking how they were doing.
“I don’t really care much about these bozos,” Stan whispered to Ford after making light conversation with a middle-aged woman. “Most of them are pretty boring. But it’s always a good idea to make friends with your neighbors. You offer them help when they need it, then they’ll help you when you need it.” Ford nodded silently. “Angie tells me that I should be helping out of the goodness of my heart, not for my own gain. But we just had to agree to disagree on that one.” Ford giggled. Stan grinned.
They turned a corner and were promptly on a street lined with small businesses. Ford looked around, curious about the stores he hadn’t realized were so close by.
Then again, I’ve only been living with Stan and Angie for a few days. I haven’t had much time to explore, particularly because Stan and Angie have been keeping me close to home while I “adjust”. They arrived in front of a bakery. A sign in the window proclaimed that everything inside was kosher. Ford looked up at Stan curiously, remembering how he had specifically mentioned that at home.
“Do you keep kosher?” he asked. Stan looked down at him, seeming surprised.
Oh. Right. My first foster family was Christian and didn’t do much for me when I said I was Jewish. He probably didn’t expect me to remember much terminology.
“Uh. No. Not really.” Stan rubbed the back of his neck. “You remember some stuff about your dad, right?” Ford nodded. “Did he keep kosher?”
“…No.”
“Okay. Good. I mean, if your dad wanted that for you, Angie and I would do it, but it can be a lotta work. Especially since I gave up on that as soon as I could and Angie’s Catholic.” Stan managed a weak smile. “But the donuts here are the best in town. Also, we’re meeting someone who does keep kosher.”
“Who?” Ford asked. Stan pushed open the door. The bell over the door jingled merrily. Ford walked inside. He swallowed nervously when he saw the man sitting at a nearby table.
“You’re gonna meet your Uncle Shermie!” Stan said cheerfully. Shermie got up from the table and walked over to them. Ford quickly hid behind Stan’s legs. “Aw, c’mon, kid, he’s not scary!”
I don’t know if I can face anyone else from my past like this.
“Maybe this was a bad idea,” Shermie said. Stan shook his head.
“No, it’s fine. He’s just kinda shy.” He looked down at Ford. “Trust me, kid. Your Uncle Shermie’s a good guy.” Ford remained silent. “Wanna get a donut?”
“Yes, please,” Ford mumbled. He followed Stan to the counter. Stan ruffled his hair.
“I know you’re a bit nervous about meeting Shermie, but don’t worry. You know how I’m taking care of you because your dad can’t?” Ford nodded. “Well, Shermie took care of me when my dad wouldn’t. He did the same thing for me that I’m doing for you.”
“I guess that’s a good point,” Ford mumbled. He closed his eyes.
I’m here now, I just have to deal with it. I don’t have to engage in any conversation. I can just stay quiet and eat my donut. Hopefully, Shermie will be the only other person from my past that I have to encounter. Ford knew that Stan had completely cut contact with their parents, so the likelihood he’d have to deal with Caryn or Filbrick was negligible.
“Whattaya want?” Stan asked. Ford pressed his face against the glass display, taking in the options laid out before him. A strange sense of nostalgia washed over him. They had grown up down the street from a kosher bakery, and as such, this was far from the first time he had perused fresh donuts with Stan. He looked over and up at his twin brother.
But this is the first time this has happened with us twenty years apart in age. Stan smiled at him.
“Know what you want?” he asked. Ford looked back at the donuts.
“Blueberry sprinkle,” he said, pointing. Stan nodded.
“Good choice.” He looked at the young woman manning the register. “You heard the man, Carly.” The woman, Carly, giggled. “And I’ll take my usual.”
“Blueberry sprinkle and triple chocolate coming right up!” Carly said cheerfully. She grabbed the donuts for Stan. Stan handed over the cash. “So, who’s the kid?”
“My nephew, Ford.” Stan patted Ford’s head. “My twin, his dad, he, uh, he can’t take care of Ford right now, so he’s living with me and Angie for a while.”
“How long?” Carly asked. She gave Stan his change, which he tucked into his wallet.
“However long he needs to stay with us,” Stan said vaguely. Carly nodded, picking up on the hint that Stan didn’t want to talk about it.
“What about Aunt Angie’s donut?” Ford asked.
“We’ll grab it on our way out,” Stan said. “Fresher that way.” Ford frowned.
I’m not sure if that’s true, but it’s not worth it to disagree. With their donuts in hand, Stan and Ford headed back to the table. Stan waited until Ford climbed onto his chair, then sat down on his own. Shermie smiled at Ford.
“So, Ford, tell me about yourself,” Shermie said. Ford looked down at his donut.
“Like what?” he mumbled, picking at his treat.
“Well, what do you like to do?”
“Um. Read.”
“What sort of things do you like to read?”
“Anything,” Ford said with a shrug. Stan snickered quietly.
“Anything except what a kid his age would normally read,” he corrected. “I’ve caught Ford going through Angie’s biology textbooks.”
“Really?” Shermie asked. “…Do you understand the things in Angie’s textbooks, Ford?”
“A bit,” Ford mumbled.
Just about all of it. But most kindergarteners wouldn’t. Ford pulled off a chunk of his donut and popped it into his mouth. I’m not used to hiding my intelligence like this. I can’t risk anyone being even more suspicious of me, though.
“Wow!” Shermie said. “You really are just as smart as your dad, aren’t you?” Ford shrugged again. “Other than reading, what do you like to do?” Ford blinked.
What do I like to do? I haven’t had opportunities to do much since moving in with Stan and Angie. He looked at Stan. Stan smiled at him in the way one does when a child behaves in an endearing way.
“You like playing with your LEGOs,” Stan prompted. Ford nodded.
“I do.”
“LEGOs, huh?” Shermie asked.
“Yeah. One of Angie’s brothers has a kid about Ford’s age who’s a little genius, too,” Stan said. “When we told him about Ford, he said we should get some LEGOs for him. It was a good move. Ford barely touches his other toys.”
Yes, because the other toys are embarrassingly juvenile! Ford couldn’t deny that some of the toys Stan and Angie had gotten for him were tempting, but he wouldn’t allow himself to be degraded to playing with them. Of the options given to him, LEGOs were the best by far. They weren’t just for children; Ford recalled his college roommate building things with LEGOs when he was bored. I didn’t realize Angie had a brother who recommended them. I owe him one.
“I’ll keep that in mind for future gifts, then,” Shermie said, winking at Ford. “When’s your birthday?”
“April 22nd.” It was a date with no significance to Ford. By the time CPS asked about his birthday, he had realized he wouldn’t be able to convince anyone of who he was. So he chose a random day off the calendar in the CPS official’s office, which had still been turned to the month of April.
“April 22nd. Got it.” Shermie grabbed a napkin, pulled a pen out of his pocket, and scribbled it down. “I’ll make sure to put it on the calendar. Though I imagine I won’t forget, since your Uncle Stan and Aunt Angie will throw you an awesome birthday party.”
Ugh. Hopefully things will be different by then. I don’t know if I can stomach being the center of attention at another children’s birthday party. The party his foster parents threw for his fifth birthday had been brutal for Ford, though everyone else seemed to have a fantastic time. Going to other children’s birthday parties was only marginally better.
Thankfully, after that, Shermie and Stan picked up on Ford’s reluctance to talk and the conversation changed topics. Ford listened silently to his brothers as he slowly ate his donut. Shermie and Stan seemed to have a much closer bond than when they were younger, though Ford supposed that came about when Shermie took Stan in. He wasn’t privy to the details. As a teen and adult, he’d purposefully avoided any updates regarding Stan, and as a child, he wasn’t going to be told much about Stan being kicked out while still a minor.
But Ford remembered the day Shermie found out what had happened to Stan. Shermie had dropped by to visit and asked where Stan was. When Caryn said he had been kicked out for ruining Ford’s science fair project, Shermie became irate and stormed out. From what his mom had told him, Ford knew that Shermie found Stan living in the Stanleymobile and insisted Stan move in with him. Not long after, Shermie got a job offer in California, so both he and Stan left. Anything after that, Ford was learning for the first time.
“You should take him to the coffee shop you met Angie at,” Shermie said.
Stan and his wife met at a coffee shop? How cliché. Though, I must admit, also adorable.
“I dunno. He’s already tried to sneak coffee from us a few times. Taking him to a coffee shop might be like an alcoholic going to a bar,” Stan replied. Shermie frowned.
“Mom did say that Ford was drinking a lot of coffee before he disappeared. I wouldn’t be surprised if his son managed to sneak a few sips while he was distracted.”
“That’s what Angie thinks.”
“Speaking of Angie, have you taken him to her work yet?”
“Not yet. But we’re gonna go tomorrow.”
“Excellent.” Shermie smiled at Ford. “Trust me, Ford, you’re going to love Angie’s work.” Ford looked down at the crumbs on the table from his donut.
“Where does she work?” he asked quietly.
“It’s a surprise,” Stan said. “But like Shermie said, you’re gonna love it.” Shermie looked at his watch.
“Shoot. I’ve got to get going.” Shermie stood up. “I’m going to grab a few donuts for Amelia and Caleb. Want to join me, Stan? You had to grab one for Angie, right?”
“Yeah. She won’t be happy if I forget,” Stan said, getting up as well. He looked at Ford. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” Ford nodded silently. Stan and Shermie went back to the register. Ford strained his hearing, trying to eavesdrop on his brothers.
“I know you were worried about how well you’d be able to take care of Ford,” Shermie said to Stan. “But from what I can tell, you’re doing great.”
“Really?” Stan asked.
“Definitely. He trusts you enough to hide behind you and looks to you for help. Those are good signs, particularly from a kid who’s been through difficult things like he has.”
“Good.” Stan sighed. “He’s a great kid. I just wish his actual dad was here to take care of him.”
“Until they find him, you’re doing an amazing job,” Shermie said firmly. “And I think it bodes well for when you and Angie start having kids of your own.”
“We were originally gonna start trying pretty soon after Angie finishes school,” Stan said, “but we might put it off more if Ford’s still with us.”
“I see,” Shermie replied. “Don’t put your plans on hold for too long, though. You two deserve to start a family.” Ford stopped listening. Guilt suddenly squirmed in his gut.
Stan’s wanted to be a dad since we were kids. But he’s willing to wait for me? Ford swallowed. No. It’s all right. By the time Angie graduates, surely I’ll be my proper age again. The guilt didn’t go away, however. If anything, it got worse. The conversation Stan and Shermie had, where they referenced living together after Stan was kicked out, was replaying in Ford’s mind. If Shermie hadn’t taken Stan in, what would have happened to him? Nothing good. He was a teenager living in his car! Stan and Shermie walked back to the table.
“We gotta head back, Ford,” Stan said. “Angie’s gonna die of starvation if we don’t bring her a donut.” Ford managed a weak smile and slid off his chair. Shermie crouched down to Ford’s eye height.
“It was nice to meet you, Ford,” Shermie said. Ford impulsively threw his arms around Shermie, hugging as tightly as he could. Shermie, though visibly confused, returned the gesture.
“Thanks for taking care of Uncle Stan,” he mumbled.
“Family’s gotta help each other out,” Shermie said simply. He squeezed Ford. “That’s why Uncle Stan is taking care of you, now.” He stood up. “Don’t forget about the offer to babysit, Stan. I’d love for Ford to meet Amelia and Caleb.”
“We’ll let you know,” Stan said. “Say hi to them for me.”
“Say hi to Angie for me.”
“Will do,” Stan said. Shermie left. Stan turned to Ford. “I’ve got a very important job for you, okay?”
“What?” Ford asked. Stan held out the paper bag containing Angie’s donut.
“Carrying Aunt Angie’s donut back home and giving it to her. It’s a big deal, but I think you’re up to the task. Are you?”
“Of course,” Ford scoffed, taking the bag from Stan. Stan grinned.
“I knew you could handle it. You’re a good kid, Ford.” Ford smiled back at Stan. As Stan took ahold of Ford’s free hand and led him out of the bakery, a new feeling bubbled to the surface.
I feel…content. Ford looked up at Stan, who was whistling off-key while they walked down the street. For the first time in years, things between myself and my brothers aren’t complicated or difficult. A mutinous thought crossed Ford’s mind. When I tell Stan who I truly am, that’s going to change. Do I really want to tell Stan the truth, and lose everything all over again? Lose him all over again?
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