Inspired by a story on the BBC about a bridge of love locks where many of the locks need to be removed in order for the bridge to undergo repairs.
Tony had spent much of the day just wandering around the small town, waiting for the call that would tell him his next destination. As he approached the bridge that crossed over a small river, he noticed at once hundreds of shiny padlocks that covered most of the bridge's fences. He had heard of the practice before - locks were placed on the bridge either by lovers celebrating their relationship or by loved ones who wanted to remember those they had lost. He walked slowly across the bridge, his hand gently running over some of the locks as he passed, sometimes stopping to read a short but sweet message to a lost lover. Remembering his own lost love, he knew that he wanted to do just as hundreds of others had done before him.
Noticing a small kiosk nearby, one that sold padlocks for tourists to place on the bridge, he walked over and examined the numerous and diverse locks on display. He took great care in picking out the right padlock, rejecting almost all that were available until he came across one that caught his attention. Picking it up gently, he examined the silver, heart-shaped lock and smiled. It was large enough to cover most of his palm, and he knew that a person's heart is about the same size as their fist. At least, that's what he had heard, but it sounded right to him.
Choosing a good spot for the lock, he wondered for a moment what he could write. There was only a small amount of space, and he couldn't think of how to squeeze all of the love he had felt for Michelle into one little sentence. It took some time, but he eventually realised that only one word was needed.
Kissing his fingertips, he softly pressed them against the padlock before he locked it to the bridge. The sole word he had written, the name of his lost love, was on the side facing the water. He stood there for a moment, watching the silver heart as it swayed gently with the breeze. Before he left the bridge, he placed the silver key to the padlock in his pocket, intending to keep it with him for the rest of his life.