That Was Then, This Is Now

The next day, as Mark rests, Bryon returns the car to Charlie, who received a draft notice. Returning home, Bryon spends the afternoon reminiscing with Mark about their childhood. They reflect on how they’ve changed and grown apart from their friend group, developing their own lives and personalities. Mark misses the old days, but Bryon is ambivalent, saying, “That was then, this is now” (69).

On Monday, Bryon goes to school while Mark continues to rest. Still in a thoughtful mood after his conversation with Mark, Bryon thinks about the relationship between the kids from rich neighborhoods (sometimes known as “Socs,” which is short for “Socials”) and those from poorer areas (known as “greasers”), including him. Lately, the rich students have begun to dress like the greasers, even buying expensive imitations of the greasers’ worn-out clothing. The rich students are also more inclusive and inviting toward Bryon and other students from poor backgrounds, but today Bryon recognizes their insincerity: They include him to show how “hip” and politically liberal they are, not because they respect him as a person.

Mark returns to school the next day, now something of a hero after his fight.