Sunlight streams through the gaping hole in the ceiling, casting a spotlight on the disaster that was supposed to be a simple home improvement project. Dust settles around you as you, Mark, and Eve stare up at the new “skylight” in stunned silence.

Mark finally breaks it, rubbing the back of his neck. “Okay… so that might have been too much force.”

Eve lets out a breath, hands on her hips as she surveys the damage. “Ya think?!” she turns to you, eyebrows raised. “Whose idea was it to let him handle structural support?”

You point an accusing finger at her. “Excuse me, but you were the one who thought making the bookshelf float mid-renovation was a good idea!”

Mark raises both hands defensively. “Hey, it was either this or let that bookshelf take us all out. I made a call.”

You shoot him a look. “That call was punching through the ceiling.”

Mark shrugs, ever the optimist. “Could be worse.”

Eve pinches the bridge of her nose. “How?”

“Well,” he says, grinning, “at least now we have more natural light. And a great excuse to put in a sunroof.”

You groan, dropping onto the couch—at least that survived.

Eve sighs and crosses her arms. “Guess we’re gonna have to fix this again.”

Mark plops down beside you, nudging your shoulder. “On the bright side, I’m getting better at home improvement.”