While
That Was Then, This Is Now focuses on Bryon’s and Mark’s coming of age, M&M also goes through his own maturation. At the beginning of the book, however, he’s characterized as very innocent, trusting, and self-assured. He’s very serious about his wish to have lots of children as an adult despite only being 13. M&M also takes pleasure from simple things, like babysitting his younger siblings and staring at his candy package. Details like this highlight M&M’s innocence in contrast to Bryon and Mark’s deviancy, which may or may not cause a rift in the boys’ friendship as they pursue different paths.