Bruce McAllister's "Kin": A loner gets emotional

This is not an original story; I have read more than one rather moving variants. But it is still a very well written one, & the first I have read in sf genre - though it could have been (but is not) very moving.

Full text of this story is available online.

Story summary.
Humans are in contact with 5 other intelligent species in galaxy, & there is regular alien traffic on earth.

Earth is very crowded, & you cannot normally have more than 1 child - by government decree, China style. Exceptions, of course, are available if you have the pull.

Kim Tuckey-Yatsen is a young boy very unhappy with the fact that his mother carrying his sister in her womb will be forced to abort. James Ortega-Mambay is the government official with the power to save his yet-to-be-born sister.

He contacts an unnamed alien, an Antalou (used in the sense we call ourselves human), a professional contract killer - to kill James. And, of course, Kim doesn't have enough money for the services of killer!

Story is of help Antalou lends Kim by forcing James to make an exception for the girl. And the boy's thank you that moves Antalou, a loner, so much. And of Antalou willing his worldly possessions to Kim after his death.

Fact sheet.
Kin, short story, review
Rating: B
First published: Asimov's February 2006
Nominated for Hugo Awards 2007 in short story category

Related: All Hugo Award stories.