Page 130 of We Are Just Us

My name is Lauren Chen and I’m a reporter with NBC 7 San Diego. We’re working on a story about a resolution currently being considered by the San Diego City Council that would ban nudity at Black’s Beach.

During our research, we came across your Substack newsletter—specifically your piece about your first visit to Black’s Beach. We found it was a thoughtful, funny, and honest representation of what the beach means to the community.

Would you be willing to provide a quote for our story? We’d also like to link to your article as an example of the positive perspective on the beach’s culture.

Please let me know if you’re interested. We’re on a tight deadline—the Council vote is in two weeks.

Best, Lauren Chen

NBC 7 San Diego

Kieran read it twice. Then a third time.

NBC 7. Actual television news. Wanting to quote him. Link to his article.

His first instinct was to say no. To stay small. To not put himself out there where people could see him.

But then he thought about that first day at Black’s Beach. The panic. The awkwardness. The unexpected freedom of it all. And how writing about it had been the first thing in months that was fully his.

He thought about Rory beside him that day. How he’d laughed and stripped down and waded into the water like it was nothing. How watching him exist so comfortably in his own skin had made Kieran want to be braver.

He thought about his mom. About letting go. About being allowed to live.

He typed a reply.

Hi Lauren,

Thanks for reaching out. I’d be happy to provide a quote and have you link the article.

Let me know what you need.

Kind Regards, Kieran Doyle

He hit send before he could overthink it. Then he stared at the screen, heart beating a little too fast.

When Rory got home that night, Kieran told him.

Rory’s face broke into a slow grin. “Look at you. Famous.”

“I’m not famous. They’re just linking an article.”

“About your naked beach experience.”

“It’s more nuanced than that.”

“Sure it is.” Rory pulled him in and kissed him. “I’m proud of you.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

“Yes. It is.”

Kieran let himself be held. They embraced for a while, not saying anything.

FORTY

It was the day before Rory’s surf competition.

Rory had caught the early waves, dawn patrol, up before the sun, back home by nine. Now he was in the driveway, waxing his surfboard, moving the bar of wax in slow, methodical circles across the deck.