Overview
That Was Then, This Is Now traces the turbulent journey of Bryon Douglas and his foster brother, Mark. Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, the narrative explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and moral awakening. The story unfolds as the two boys face life-changing events that challenge their bond and alter their paths.

Chapter One: Hustles and Hypocrisies

The tale begins with Bryon and Mark, teenage foster brothers, casually making their way to Charlie’s Bar—a gritty pool hall. They're familiar faces there, often trying their luck at hustling for some cash. After their stint at the bar, they encounter their hippie friend, M&M, who shares that his sister Cathy has returned from her private school. As the evening wanes, M&M grows restless and decides to leave, prompting Bryon and Mark to follow. Just in time, they intervene to stop a gang attack on M&M. Later, when Mark suggests retaliatory violence, M&M calls them out for their duplicity, leaving Bryon to ponder his friend's words.

Chapter Two: Hospital Visits and New Perspectives

The following day, Bryon and Mark visit Bryon's mother in the hospital. She has recently undergone surgery and urges them to visit a boy beaten up across the hall. While Bryon heads to the hospital snack bar, he encounters Cathy, M&M’s sister, and they engage in a flirtatious exchange. Meanwhile, Bryon speaks to Mike Chambers, the injured boy, who recounts how he was assaulted after helping a young black woman being harassed by his own gang. Despite the woman's betrayal, Mike holds no grudge, a sentiment that resonates with Bryon but not with Mark.

Chapter Three: Dance and Deception

In search of employment, Bryon finds himself at a dead end, even with Charlie, who advises him to mend his ways. However, Charlie does lend Bryon his car for a school dance. At the event, Bryon and Cathy attract attention, with Cathy being a fresh face. The evening takes a violent turn when Mark is injured while defending Ponyboy Curtis against an assault orchestrated by Bryon’s ex, Angela Shepard. Bryon resolves to seek vengeance against Angela, fueling his internal conflict.

Chapter Four: Reflections and Realizations

The following morning, Bryon returns Charlie’s car and learns of Charlie’s draft notice for Vietnam. He and Mark reminisce about their gang days, contemplating how life has shifted. Bryon's contemplative mood lingers into the school day, making him feel detached. That week, a humorous episode unfolds when Mark is caught driving the principal’s car, which he justifies with his parole obligations related to past car thefts. Bryon muses on Mark’s uncanny way of evading repercussions.

Chapter Five: Guilt and Growth

One night, while out hustling, Bryon and Mark learn that Charlie won't be drafted due to his criminal record. Their luck runs out when two Texans they hustled earlier ambush them, leading to a deadly confrontation. Charlie intervenes but loses his life in the process. The incident leaves Bryon grappling with guilt, though Mark remains unfazed. Desiring solace, Bryon draws closer to Cathy, who offers him understanding and support.

Chapter Six: Changes and Consequences

After testifying against the Texans at their trial, Bryon resolves to heed Charlie’s advice, aiming to transform his appearance and attitude to secure a job and assist with family finances. Cathy confides her suspicion that M&M is involved with drugs. During a night cruise with Cathy, Mark, and M&M along the bustling Ribbon, M&M disappears with friends, declaring he won't return, casting a pall over Bryon's already heavy heart.

Chapter Seven: Searching and Sorrow

Days pass with no sign of M&M, prompting Bryon and Cathy to scour the Ribbon nightly. Meanwhile, Bryon secures employment at a supermarket, contributing to the household. Mark, too, brings in money, which Bryon presumes comes from gambling. In a moment of juvenile retribution, Mark gets Angela drunk, shaving her hair as payback for past grievances. The night ends with Bryon, in a drunken stupor, lamenting the pain around him and yearning for M&M’s safety. Mark promises to lead Bryon to him.

Chapter Eight: Revelations and Retaliations

Guided by Mark, Bryon visits a dilapidated house where Mark is known as “Cat.” Here, he searches for M&M, or "Baby Freak," but finds no trace. An evening at Terry Jones’s party turns violent when Angela’s brothers retaliate against Bryon for Angela's humiliation. Beaten, Bryon pleads with Mark to abandon their cycle of revenge, expressing exhaustion with their tit-for-tat existence.

Chapter Nine: Love and Loss

Upon discharge from the hospital, a frustrated Mark remains eager for vengeance, but Bryon resists. Cathy visits Bryon, and he confesses his love for her while revealing a lead on M&M’s whereabouts. Bryon pays tribute to Charlie at his grave, gratitude mingling with sorrow. Days later, Bryon and Cathy discover M&M in a hippie haven, suffering from a bad LSD trip. Cathy's father rushes to their aid, taking M&M to the hospital.

Chapter Ten: Betrayal and Breakthrough

Though doctors hold little hope for M&M's full recovery, Bryon clings to optimism. Yet his thoughts spiral, leading him to discover a cache of drugs hidden by Mark. Realizing the connection between Mark’s dealings and M&M’s condition, Bryon makes the painful decision to report Mark to the authorities. Mark’s defense falters against Bryon’s newfound clarity about right and wrong, resulting in Mark's arrest as he questions Bryon’s betrayal.

Chapter Eleven: Parting Ways and Pondering Paths

The day after Mark’s arrest, Bryon is consumed by uncertainty over his actions. He finds an emotional distance growing between him and Cathy, choosing to sever ties. In court, Bryon’s testimony, coupled with Mark’s unremorseful stance, leads to a five-year sentence in a reformatory. Focused on his job, Bryon climbs the ranks but is haunted by his past decisions. A visit to Mark reveals the latter’s hardened demeanor, and despite Bryon’s apologies, Mark rejects him, echoing the sentiment, “that was then, this is now.” As Mark is transferred to state prison, Bryon is left bereft, questioning if life’s trajectory could have been altered, longing for the bygone simplicity of their youth.