Chapter 12 Summary

2000. Ashima has decided to sell the house now that her daughter is engaged to be married. Ashima will live in Calcutta with her brother for six months out of the year and return to America to spend six months between the homes of her children. Ashima feels free for the first time in her life, though leaving the house makes her feel as though she is leaving Ashoke behind for the last time. Ashima is throwing a Christmas party one last time in her home and her children will soon be there to help. Ashima is happy about this, feeling as though her life has finally settled into a happy pattern she can live with.

Gogol arrives in Boston in time for his mother's party. Gogol is happy to be home, despite the rocky year he has just survived. Gogol and Moushumi were...