Home » Story-teller » Novels » Rufus – A Novel

Rufus is a novel-in-progress, the first 20 chapters of which were published during self-isolation due to COVID-19.

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  1 – My worn out shoes | Rufus – A novel
  He walked, this twenty year-old boy; a guitar on his back, all his world in a Red Flyer cart. His every footfall sent gravel skittering, puffing dust about his worn-out…
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  2 – A face | Rufus – A novel
  “Here you go,” the waitress said, as she put the oatmeal down on Rufus’ table. “Need anything else?” Rufus smiled up at her; she looked frazzled by the early morning…
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  3 – Nothing to see here | Rufus – A novel
  Rufus wheeled his cart along the main road, deeper into the town. Past sleeping car lots. Abandoned big box stores. A town that had moved on. And left many behind,…
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  4 – For the love of music | Rufus – A novel
  Rufus pulled his cart further into town, walking on the edge of the road to save bumping up and down at each intersection. The aftershock of the police station troubled…
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  5 – To rest my weary head | Rufus – A novel
  On the far side of town, a long walk and even longer day away, Rufus found The Lucky Dawn campground. Beyond streetlights, beyond houses and factories, yet still a way…
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  6 – The fool on the hill | Rufus – A novel
  Rufus woke late, the warmth of the sun already heating his tent beyond comfort. When he visited the shower block, he found The Lucky Dawn had plenty of hot water;…
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  7 – Eye-opening | Rufus – A novel
  The next morning, Rufus wandered into town, floating on a cloud of self-congratulation; The Lucky Dawn slept on behind him.  He’d made out really well last night; Jesse had delivered…
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  8 – The wrong faces | Rufus – A novel
  Later that morning, after leaving Danni and her tantrums at Tunes, Rufus wandered the town spotting for potential gigs.  People still stared at the stranger in their midst; he hadn’t…
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  9 – Mac tells a story | Rufus – A novel
  The first thing you need to know is that they’re not a who, they’re a what. And they’re a what that steals. A what that sucks. That feeds. I never…
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  10 – Candles in desolation | Rufus – A novel
  An hour later, as dusk fell over The Lucky Dawn, Rufus was still churning over Mac’s words. Had it been a story, or had the old man really lived through…
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  11 – Before the dawn | Rufus – A novel
  As he walked down Shaw Street, past the rotting wooden structures and ramshackle cars, Rufus was in turmoil. Something had opened within him; some connection made. What the hell is…
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  12 – What it is, ain’t exactly clear | Rufus – A novel
  Rufus stumbled back to The Lucky Dawn in a haze; partly beers, partly exhaustion, but mostly confusion. He didn’t think he’d ever been this tired. He didn’t notice the empty…
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  13 – The loaded barrel | Rufus – A novel
  Every once in a while, a gig like this happened. Walking through the door, the place was already busy with drinkers, families eating dinner, and people who had actually turned…
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  14 – If I fell | Rufus – A novel
  They’ve been rehearsing for weeks. Long afternoon hours in the elementary school gym, a make-shift stage and hard wooden bleachers; echoing voices resonate from cold cinderblock walls as Mr Nicholas…
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  15 – Honeypot | Rufus – A novel
  On he played, song after song, the crowd getting more into it, Rufus responding with the invitation to dive further. When he opened his eyes this time, Danni’s stool was…
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  17 – Doorways open | Rufus – A novel
  He knew. Of course he did. Knew where Budweiser Boy would be waiting. Where Budweiser Boy would be watching. Watching, ever watching. Like the distorted deputy; the old man in…
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  18 – Time to wake up | Rufus – A novel
  Deep in the black, these colors writhe; clash and merge, froth and ferment. They ooze and solidify, exhaling threads of gossamer intent. These threads seek hope. But they are in…
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  19 – Spotting them is easy | Rufus – A novel
  Downtown basked in morning sunshine, people went on their way, focused on their own concerns and foibles. Cars passed, workers worked. Rufus followed Mac as the older man walked past…
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  20 – Too little too late | Rufus – A novel
  Shaw Street revealed itself little changed when viewed in morning sunlight. Abandoned houses, empty lots. Trash blown up against the front of buildings. “Nice neighbourhood,” Mac joked, “this where she…