Words found written on the inside cover of Joseph Campbell's "The Hero with a Thousand Faces," borrowed from the library

Christmas '93

Tom —

There can only be one hero in your story.

That hero can only be you —

Rufus

What a lovely gesture.

And, running sideways across the left margin in a different handwriting:

Donated 05/02

Nine years later, Tom gave away Rufus's gift.

I wonder what happened between them?