Old Laredo

When I was growing up, my great-great uncle lived in Laredo. He was like a father to my mother, and my father loved him too. We saw him often.

He lived in Laredo for most of his life. He knew everyone, or at least that's the way I remember him. We would drive over to Nuevo Laredo and have enchiladas at the Cadillac Bar because Uncle Gordon once loaned the owner $50 to start the business. You couldn't drink the water so I got to order Coke.

I cannot remember much about his house, but I do remember his back yard where the grapefruit trees grew. Gorgeous yellow spheres with ruby red fruit inside. A crate of them almost always arrived at our doorway close to Christmas.

Perfect with a pinch of salt.