June let Kitty pull her closer and allowed herself to cry once more. It was one thing to cry alone in your room and another to cry with someone who cared about you there to comfort you. She didn't want to talk to professor Munroe about any of this because she was afraid of the answer she might get. June knew she would run away before she ever let either of her parents take her away. She loved Kitty for saying she would fight for her, but it scared her at the same time. Her father was a very violent man and she didn't want the person she cared about most getting hurt by him.
When she could speak again, June said, "I told the social worker that this was the best place I ever lived." She hiccuped and dried her face with the sleeve of her nightgown. "She looked at me like she felt sorry for me." Doctor McCoy was the first to know about what had been done to her, and he'd had to tell Professor Munroe. The social worker and the judge knew as well. They all looked at her like they felt sorry for her from time to time.
"Why can't you just adopt me?" Her question was very quiet. June played with the hem of the blanket on her lap. She felt a little embarrassed to ask such a question, but it was something she thought about a lot. If Kitty just adopted her she'd never have to worry about anything ever again. She'd grow up smart and healthy, and maybe even get to be a member of the X-Men when she was older. There was nothing in the world she wanted more.