In Doddston, the Walker family has a skin condition causing bubbles seen only by members of the community, who leer and stare. The gossip and mayhem that arise from the Walkers’ bubbles and ensuing town gossip were captured in "Mrs. Walker's Bubble," a book by Jacqueline Culver of Fairfax Station.
"They talk about the Walkers the most, and their bubbles. That's what everyone gossips about," Culver said.
To Jacqueline Culver, the bubbles symbolize racism. After getting past the physical appearance, the true personality comes out.
"Once you get to know somebody, you see past it," she said.
The book talks about gossip and differences that divide people, and although Culver didn't point to any one incident, the story is based on human nature and the loss of community in Northern Virginia, if not the whole country.
"You don't have to live in a small town to experience gossip," Culver said.
Magda Culver, Jacqueline's mother, feels the book shows real insight.
"This has a great moral ending," Magda Culver said. "It's a lesson to moms. I think gossip is a part of our lifestyle. In this area it's prominent. I see a lot of parallels."
JACQUELINE CULVER grew up in Fairfax Station and attended Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology in Annandale, before graduating from the University of Virginia on May 16, 2004. At U.Va., she graduated in the top of her class as an Echols Scholar and plans to study dentistry the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. Her dentistry classes start in August. A schedule like that leaves little time for writing, so Jacqueline Culver does her literary thinking on the run.
"Ever since I was little, I'd always be thinking up stories. I have a recorder I take everywhere with me," Culver said.
Quan Trinh went to school with Culver at U.Va. When they went places together, Trinh noticed Culver's infatuation with people-watching. Trinh read the book right after it was published.
"There's a message she weaves throughout the book," Trinh said.
CULVER'S imagination and drive are carrying over into other books, as well as documentaries and movies. A children's book series she's working on, "The Melting Pot," is a series about diversity. Although it's not completed, she has four books in mind and possibly a fifth.
"I think it could be helpful in schools," Culver said.
One documentary she's looking into deals with family stories, each with a different slant depending on who is telling it. Another film she wants to do involves students in dental school.
"She is a go-getter," said Magda Culver. "She's always been like this. It's constant go."
Jacqueline Culver has a little sister, Stephanie, 20, who attends U.Va.; a brother David, 17, at Gonzaga High School in Washington, D.C.; and another brother, Blake, 9, at St. Ambrose.
"Mrs. Walker's Bubble" was published by iUniverse, which is part of Barnes & Noble, and it is available through its Web site, www.iUniverse.com. It was elected Editor's Choice by iUniverse. The artwork on the cover is from a computer-enhanced snapshot that Culver took in Burke.