Taystee gets bumped from foster home to foster home throughout her tumultuous childhood. This leads her to cross paths with Vee, who runs a heroin drug ring in the neighbourhood. Vee saves Taystee from a life on the streets, but forces her to work as an "accountant" for the drug operation in exchange. Taystee's exact charge is never disclosed, but it's heavily implied she goes away for her connection to to the drug ring.