Great-aunt Eliza had died, and it turned out that once the estate had wound its way through the intricacies of the legal system, it was Eliza's responsibility for sorting through and closing up the old house. In addition to winding up with the house, Eliza (who had been named for her Great-aunt) had also inherited a reasonable sum of money which would help out immensely while she took the summer off.

The timing could not have been better. Her last job had just ended, and she was living on her savings while she scouted out the next contract. Life as a contract designer was certainly fun, and she enjoyed being paid to do what she loved, but it also incurred dry spells every now and then when she'd scour her contacts and the internet, looking for her next opportunity.