 This masks the fact that Clay is an abusive alcoholic who hates his job as mayor of Moralton, his marriage, and his father.As a child, Clay was the only surviving child of his parents, as his mother's drinking, smoking, and fun-loving lifestyle (including riding roller coasters, jumping on a trampoline, and horseback riding) caused her to miscarry ten of Clay's unborn siblings before he was born (largely because Clay's mother spent all of her pregnancy with Clay praying for his safety).Clay's mother was a religious zealot, who spoiled Clay rotten and instructed him in the various "lost commandments" of Moses.