Disclaimer: It definitely isn't mine.

Chapter Summary: Mitzy Kinsky prided herself on not being a gossip. Post-ep for "Everything's Different, Nothing's Changed."

Coda: Season Seven

A story by Ryeloza

Seventeen: Nothing's Changed

Mitzy Kinsky prided herself on not being a gossip, not so much because it was beneath her, but because she had more important things to do than sit around caring about other people. Gossiping was for people who didn't have anything more interesting going on in their lives—pretty much every woman on this street and that gay guy with the fruity hair—and Mitzy had a very full and fulfilling life, thank you very much.

Of course, sometimes she couldn't help hearing things as she took a walk around the block. But that was just natural, not a vested interest, and she certainly didn't spread it around.

It wasn't like anything ever changed on this street anyway.

Like this morning: that loud blonde woman (Lillian, Lyla—whatever) had been next door talking to Paco about her husband. And it wasn't like they were trying to be quiet; whatever Mitzy overheard was completely accidental.

"You can play innocent all you want," Paco had said. He'd stood leaning against the house with his arms crossed. "I know you're the one who pushed him into this job."

"Tom just realized what he was worth. The fact that you weren't willing to acknowledge that is your fault."

Paco had laughed, shaking his head in this fond way. "God, I've missed your ballsiness. You sure you won't come back now? I'm going to need someone shrewd."

And blondie had smiled in this kind of sad way and just said, "I don't think so."

Mitzy wondered if they'd had an affair at some point. There'd been that big fight last year, the two of them and their spouses in that distasteful war—maybe that was why. Passion seemed to spur at least half of these people's actions anyway, and Mitzy could picture them together in some strange way, having sex on a desk or someplace else sordid.

And while she'd been pregnant too.

How delightfully scandalous.

"Well, if you ever want to…" he'd said, reaching out and squeezing her shoulder. At this point, Mitzy had gone up on tiptoe to see better, but Lillian had just smiled and turned to go.

Mitzy was unconscionably disappointed.

Of course, the big news today seemed to be that Susie had gotten her kidney. At least three people walked by chatting about it while Mitzy was outside gardening. Acting like it was some big miracle—but what was miraculous about some fool shooting herself and getting harvested for organs? Mitzy couldn't understand why they didn't see it for what it was: a lucky chance. No all-powerful being was upstairs deciding who got organs and who didn't.

Sometimes it was just a person's time to go. Mitzy knew. No one had stepped in at the last minute to save her husband, after all.

Lucky Susie that it hadn't been her time.

She was more interested in the fight going on down the street anyway. Red was trying and failing to argue quietly with her kid, but he was putting up this big stink about it. Kid never had been grateful; Mitzy had caught him pissing on her begonias once and came a second away from calling the cops before his husband had shown up to drag him home, apologizing left and right.

"Andrew, please. This is for the best," Red was saying, all pleading even as she glanced around to make sure no one was listening. "And it's just for a little while."

"Look, no offense Mom, but if you think I have a problem now, it's only going to get worse if I move in with you."

Trouble in paradise, Mitzy thought. Made sense. She'd seen the husband sneaking around the other night.

"I'm just worried about you. I don't think you should be alone right now."

The kid shrugged. "I've got to get used to it sometime," he smarmed, like he was really alone in any way. Even as he said it, Red just stepped forward and hugged him. It couldn't have been more obvious how much she loved him, and he didn't even seem to realize it.

Kid didn't appreciate what he had. No one on this street did. It was just the same old, same old. Nothing exciting; nothing'd changed. Just like every other day.

People talking, but not really caring. Longing looks with no action to back it up. All of these people lived in bated breath, afraid to do anything interesting.

Karen walked by then, huffing and puffing her way through her daily exercise and giving Mitzy a little wave. "Hey," said Mitzy. Before she thought it out, she added, "Karen, hold up."

"What?" asked Karen. After a moment of hesitation, she paused and turned to face Mitzy.

"You, uh, you want to come in for a cup of coffee. Chew the fat for awhile."

"Sorry, Kinsky," said Karen with a pointed glance at her watch. "Gotta be home in time for Jeopardy. Roy likes to see who can answer more questions. A little competition always makes him feisty, if you know what I mean."

"Right. Well—"

But Karen had already moved on.

Yeah, Mitzy wasn't a gossip.

No one cared what she had to say.