M&M received help from Mark and Bryon after the Shepard boys and their gang wanted to beat him up. Mark, Byron and M&M hung out at Charlie’s bar, where Mark and Bryon hustled at the pool table in order to make a living. On one particular day, Charlie, the owner of the bar, informed Mark and Bryon that M&M was looking for them. Mark and Byron were able to find M&M before he was attacked by Curly Shepard and the Greaser gang. M&M was grateful that Mark and Byron saved him and that they were able to stop Curly Shepard from picking on him. 

What happens when the Shepard boys pick on M&M in That Was Then, This Is Now?

In Chapter 1, Mark, Bryon, and M&M hang out at a bowling alley for a little bit before M&M decides to walk home on his own. Bryon and Mark decide to catch up with M&M, and they notice that three guys are following him. Byron and Mark then witness Curly Shepard and his friends cut M&M's peace medallion off of his neck and knee him in the stomach. Mark and Bryon then sneak up and grab the Shepard boys who are about to jump M&M. Bryon describes the situation by saying,

"I had Curly Shepard in a stranglehold with one arm twisted behind his back, while Mark had the other guy pinned on the ground" (Hinton 7).

Stunned and helpless, Curly Shepard drops his switchblade as Bryon continues to twist his arm. M&M finally tells Mark and Bryon to let them go. Byron shoves Curly as he lets him go and Mark kicks Curly's friend as the Shepard boys run away. Byron and Mark saved M&M from suffering further abuse by Curly and his friends.