I often wonder what Clay's former high school and college classmates think of him now.  Do they recall him fondly because they were kind and befriended him? What about the so-called "jocks" and "cheerleaders" that didn't give him the time of day because of the way he looked and the way he acted-which to most  adults was probably like every other kid there.  I see the girls in his high school now banging their heads against the wall going... *thunk.....*thunk, thunk*   "WHY...didn't..I...go...out...with...him?  WHY wasn't I nice to him?" 

 Admittedly, Clay did look like a geek, nerd, dork, whichever word you would use to describe someone who didn't fit the norm of the hierarchy of grades nine through twelve. Which, if you think about it, was about ninety percent of us.  All I know is, I'd hate to have been that so-called popular girl(s), now living in Raleigh, married to an average man, with three kids, and a full time job on top of that, wondering what would have happened had she been kind enough to someone who was "different", like Clay? Do they regret it?  Are they now as Clayzy as we are, kicking themselves in the behind for their poor lack of judgement?

Many people are late bloomers.  Clay was one of them.  Sure, he had help with the hair, clothes, make-up, etc.  But the core essence of Clay is still there.  He appears to still be the same goofball now as he was back then.  The same guy who wears the stripes, polka dots, and odd combinations of clothing.  BUT, hey, it's ok now, because, well, that's Clay, the star. It doesn't matter now what he does  because he's cool.  He's got it all.  Then why did it back then?  Because they were kids?  Even though they were in grammar school, high school,  those individuals knew what they were doing and should have been held accountable for their behaviors.  Plus, kids learn what they see.  They mimic what they watch and do what is done to them.
 

 It is rather difficult to believe that they "didn't realize" how much they were hurting Clay with the name calling, the pranks, etc.
And, as Clay got older, became a senior, things relaxed a bit, and he was known as the kid who could sing.  Still Clay's book Learning To Sing  leaves the impression that he was still the outsider.  But look at him now.  When he is at his zenith, his personal best, is when he is on stage, where   is in control, where  he says what is done and not done. You could never tell that the man was once the boy in class who became the "insult magnet".  He has grown, and grown up.  He has become a man.  A very, very, very good looking man. A talented, famous man.  A rich man, in money as well as in experiences. 

 Where did those jocks go?  Did they go on to become famous sports stars?  Or are they too, living an average, everyday life like most of us?  Gone are the glory days. No more touchdowns.  No more points scored. Just anonymity.  Don't get me wrong.  There is something to be said about having a normal, happy, average life.  Settling down, getting married, having the whole thing.  The spouse, the kids, the mortgage.