Ohmigod, are you serious?
Chapter 11 has established that Moushumi is having an affair, is traveling with God-knows-who, and Gogol, ignorant, slightly suspicious (because Lahiri once again lets us know this by using clothes as a tip-off, Moushumi has packed a bathing suit), but trusting, is awaiting her return from a trip. That’s how the chapter leaves off:
He imagines her puttering around the apartment, drawing a bath, pouring herself a glass of wine, her bags in the hallway. He slips the book he will give her for Christmas into the pocket of his coat, making sure it’s well concealed, and calls the elevator to take him upstairs. (p. 273)
Leaves the reader anxious, as a good chapter might, no? We know she’s back because Lahiri has the doorman tell Gogol (and us). But we get this opening of Chapter 12:
It is the day before Christmas. Ashima Ganguli sits at her kitchen table, making mincemeat croquettes for a party she is throwing that evening. They are one of her specialties, something her guests have come to expect, handed to them on small plates within minutes of their arrival. Alone, she manages an assembly line of preparation. First she forces the warm boiled potatoes through a ricer. (etc.) (p. 174)
Honest to God, we get the recipe here and slipped in along with the breadcrumbs we find out that Ashima has sold the house and is leaving to spend her time between India and the U.S., and oh yeah, she feels guilty about setting Gogol up with Moushumi.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology